The Norwegian Public Roads Administration started a programme named “National Tourist Routes in Norway” in 1994. Today it includes 18 selected routes from south to north. The uniqueness of these attractions lies in the spectacular architecture found at the viewpoints, places of interest and visitor centres located amid magnificent scenery.
The aim of the tourist routes was to strengthen Norway's position in the marketing of international tourism and to help promote local business.
The routes are carefully selected and allow tourists to enjoy some of the most spectacular scenery in the country. Young Norwegian sculptors and architects, and a few renowned ones from abroad too, were invited to take up the challenge of creating unique viewing platforms, service buildings, footbridges, ramps, benches and stairs to be placed along the different routes. All are so unique that tourists automatically stop as they drive along, not just to admire the scenery, but also the special objects.
Several of these objects are in concrete, and four are presented below. (Map references for the individual projects are listed for easy searching on Google Earth)