Along the southern coast of Norway there are many small quaint towns as pearl beads on a string. They rose to importance during the tall ship period starting around 16th all the way up to end of the 19th century. Large amounts of native resources such as timber, metals, and fish, were exported to European ports and beyond. In modern times these towns declined into insignificance and their populations diminished rapidly. However, in particular in the years following WW 2, many face a revival during the summers as venues for tourism and pleasure crafts. The old woodwork buildings were restored from decay and again painted fresh in the original white. We call them the "White Towns". Wood buildings rarely are older than from the 16th century mainly due to the many fires occurring over the years. It has become custom now to rebuild houses in a replica style so as to preserve the overall atmosphere once prevailing in these maritime-influenced ports.
The photo shows the inner harbour and fashionable quarters of Risør, one of the most typical of these "White Towns". The row of buildings along the quay in the background is collectively known as Solsiden ('The Sunny Side') and once were residences and warehouses for the old trading companies.
