Page 8 - The Shores of Jupiter - April '22

Page 8, The Shores
The North Cape: Pinnacle Of Europe

By Don Kiselewski, MCC,
D.S., Palm Beach Gardens
Travel Leaders
In 1930 a Czechoslovakian
author wrote, “So this is how
it ended. Europe’s and our
history ended just that abruptly
and harshly.” To put it in
context he was referring to the
northern tip of Norway, which
protrudes into the Arctic Ocean
and is the most northerly point
on the European continent. This mystical North Cape (or
Nordkapp) is distinguished by travelers as the extreme border
of civilization. It has been considered the fortress that defends
continental Europe against the forces of the sea. The city and harbor of Honningsvåg, Norway
The North Cape juts straight out of the water on the
northern end of Mageroya Island; it is shaped like the bow
of a ship, breaking water. The island has little and/or no
vegetation because it is far north of the Arctic Circle. It is
a flat, barren rock with the town of Honningsvåg located in
a somewhat protected harbor on the south side. And if you
wonder what people do at this end of the world, the answer
is that they fish and herd reindeer as well as service the port
on the trade route between Russia and Norway. In the 17th
century the area was important to Dutch whaling.
Finnmark is the early name given to this northern tip
of Europe. Some 8 to 10 thousand years ago the area was
inhabited by people known as the Komsa. They survived by An Atlantic puffin with a fresh catch on the
fishing as well as hunting birds and seals. Today, on some of island of Runde, Norway Reindeer herding is a common practice in Finnmark.
the more remote islands, puffins form the poultry element in
the diet. It is believed that the culture migrated to the tip of has it that the two brothers killed 22 of the invaders and chased the North Cape on July 9, 1845. At the time, there wasn’t a paved
the land from southern Norway. the others away. However, later they were waylaid by Russian road from the low end of the island on the south to the north side
The Lapp people have inhabited the area for about two pirates and brutally murdered. The tale ends with a claim that of the island. It took three to four hours to go overland from
millennia. These nomads have grazed their domesticated the silver halibut now hangs in a church in Moscow. Honnigsvåg. Energetic visitors looking to reach the top more
reindeer from one country to another, traveling with them and Whaling became prevalent along the Artic Ocean coast of quickly chose to climb. They were tendered to the shore at the
living off the land in skin-covered shelters. Three countries now Finnmark from 1600 to 1900. Ships from along the Atlantic coast north end of the island, where they began the climb on paths and
divide the northern portion of Scandinavia (Norway, Sweden countries sailed the area. The Basques introduced the pelagic stairs that crisscrossed all the way up the face of the mountain. In
and Finland). Originally it was the Norwegians who took up style of hunting, wherein the captured whale is tied to the side 1873, King Oscar II visited the North Cape, which turned out to
residence on Mageroya, with the Lapps roaming the mainland. of the vessel and then sectioned into pieces that are brought on be great advertising for the destination. Another prominent visitor
However, over the last quarter century, the number of Lapp board, so that the oil can be boiled out on deck. This eliminated was Louis-Philippe of Orleans, who sought refuge here in 1795
descendants who have shrugged off the nomadic lifestyle has the need for maintaining a whaling station on land. to avoid the French Revolution. In 1875, Cook’s travel agency
increased to over 10 percent of the island’s total population. In 1553, three English ships led by Sir Hugh Willoughby in London brought the first tour group to the North Cape.
Some 700 years ago the Norwegians started hunting and left London on a discovery mission to find a northern route Any visit to the North Cape should be coupled with time spent
trapping furs in Lapland. There is nothing to substantiate exactly to China. The ships became separated in a storm and the below the Arctic Circle. Here you will find the genuine beauty
when they started to inhabit the area; a 13th century document Edward Bonaventure, under Captain Richard Chancellor, of Norway, in total contrast to its harsh pinnacle.
is the only clue to dating the Norwegians’ inhabitation of the sailed by an enormous cliff jutting out of the water that was Don Kiselewski writes from his personal experiences, having
area. It was relayed that a man named Tormod Andresson left known as Knyskanes; he named it “North Cape,” a name traveled in 122 countries and cruised the oceans, seas and rivers
his estate in Honningsvåg to his daughter Ingrid. that has stuck with it ever since. of the world. Palm Beach Gardens Travel Leaders, his family
Between the 13th and 15th centuries, the Norwegians and Tourism in the area began some 160 years ago. Since then, owned and operated agency, is located at Mirasol Town Square,
Russians made numerous attempts to expand their borders the biggest tourist draw hasn’t varied; it’s the rugged North 11360 North Jog Road, Building A, Suite 102-6, Palm Beach
into the area. Finnmark was one of the early names given Cape that attracts them. Lucky tourists can experience the Gardens. The agency has been serving the travel needs of the
to the area. It wasn’t until 1826 that the present day borders midnight sun, while others may find themselves trapped in South Florida area for over a quarter of a century. Contact him
between the countries were established. the ever-present fog. at (561) 694-9696 or Aussie@PBGTravel.com.
An interesting folkloric legend (of both Lapp and Norwegian The steamship Prince Gustav started bringing passengers to Photos by Don Kiselewski
origin) tells of the conflicts between two Norwegian brothers
and the Russians. The two bachelor brothers came from the
town of Tunes; were big, rough and tumble fishermen and
were inseparable. One day while fishing for halibut, they found
themselves in a devastating storm. Fearing the end was near,
they made a promise to God that if they were saved, they would
have a silver halibut cast to be given to the church. They kept
their promise after having their lives spared.
It was during this same period that Russian pirates sailed the
shore of Finnmark, doing what pirates do best. During one such
encounter some 50 pirates came ashore and were in the process of
pillaging Tunes when the brothers returned from fishing. Legend

A wooden sign directs hikers to Nordkapp, or the North Cape.

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