The 1700s and 1800s: the "Paris of the north"
During the 17th century, while Denmark�Norway was solidifying its claim to the northern coast of Scandinavia and during this period a redoubt, Skansen, was built. Despite only being home to around 80 people, Troms� was issued its city charter in 1794 by King Christian VII. The city quickly rose in importance. The Diocese of H�logaland was created in 1804, with the first bishop being Mathias Bonsak Krogh. The city was established as a municipality 1 January 1838 (see formannskapsdistrikt).
Arctic hunting, from Novaya Zemlya to Canada, started up around 1820. By 1850, Troms� was the major center of Arctic hunting, overtaking the former center of Hammerfest, and the city was trading from Arkhangelsk toBordeaux. The town grew increasingly important in other maritime economic activities also, the first shipyard was established in 1848.
In 1848, the teacher training college was also moved from Trondenes (near current-day Harstad) to Troms�, with part of its mission being to educate S�mi scholars - there was a quota ensuring that S�mi gained access.The teacher college was followed by the Troms� Museum in 1872, and the Mack Brewery in 1877.
During the 1800s, Troms� became known as the "Paris of the North". It is disputed how this moniker came into being, but the reason is generally assumed to be that people in Troms� appeared as far more 'civilized' than expected by travellers from the south.
The early 1900s: exploration and war
By the end of the 19th century, Troms� had become a major Arctic trade center from which many Arctic expeditions originated. Explorers like Roald Amundsen, Umberto Nobile andFridtjof Nansen made use of the know-how in Troms� on the conditions in the Arctic, and often recruited their crew in the city. The Northern lights observatory was founded in 1927.
When Germany invaded Norway in 1940, Troms� served briefly as the seat of
