The City Hall is the most famous sight in Oslo, the two mighty brick towers dominate the Oslo skyline. After the union with Sweden ended, Norway's independence should be demonstrated by a representative building. 1918 Arnstein Arneberg and Markus Poulsson won the architectural competition. The 66 m high Radhuset was opened in 1950. The main hall is covered with beutiful murals of the history of Norway.

Radhus plassen

The Karl Johans gate is the main shopping street of Oslo. The street connects the Royal Castle with the central station. The center of Oslo is located at Stortinget, this is where you will see the famous billboard of the "Freia" chocolate factory.  

Karl Johans gate

The former harbor district has been transformed into a residential and leisure center since the 1980s. The new harbor promenade is home to shops, shopping malls and restaurants with views on the "Oslofjord" and the famous town hall. "Aker Brygge" is a very popular district for going out with many bars and clubs.

Stranden Tingavallkaia

The fort guarded the Oslofjord since about 1300. In 1315 the castle became the royal residence of Haakon V. In the following centuries the "Akershus festning" was repeatedly extended. In 1716 the castle survived the siege by the Swedes. Today the great halls are among the main attractions of the Akershus Fortress.

Akershuskai

Christian IV King of Denmark and Norway decided to rebuilt Oslo after a fire in 1624. The city named Christiania was built with rectangular city blocks. In 1990 the artist Wenche Gulbransen set up the sculpture of a glove, which symbolizes the founding of the city. 

Christiania torv

The Neoclassical "National Theater" of Henrik Bull was opened in 1899. The house is considered to be the best theater in Norway. The Theater is located in the park "Studenterlunden".

Stortingsgata

www.nationaltheatret.no

The parliament building "Stortinget" is home to the Norwegian National Assembly. The yellowish clinker building of the Swedish architect Emil Victor Langlet was opened in 1866. In 1950 the construction at Akersgata was built. The Norwegian Parliament has 169 seats for deputies.

Eidsvollsplass

The "Royal Palace" stands on a hill above the city. The construction was begun under King Karl Johan in 1836 and completed in 1848. The palace is the residence of the Royal Family. The "Royal Palace" is open to the public in summer time, when the Royal Family is on vacation.

Dronningparken

www.royalcourt.no

The construction of the cathedral was begun in 1694 and in 1720 the "Domkirke" was completed. The ceiling painting by Hugo Louis Mohrs was created around 1950. Mette-Maritt and Crown Prince Haakon were married here. In front of the church is a nice market square.

Stortorget

www.oslodomkirke.no

The "Oslo Opera House" floats like an iceberg in the fjord. The building of white Carrara marble and glass was voted the best cultural building in the world in 2008. Like the Alexandria Library, the "Oslo Opera House" was designed by the Norwegian architects of Snøhetta.

Operagata

http://operaen.no

The district of "Grünerløkka" is quite generous with its charm. A really nice neighborhood with many cafes and small, designed shops and restaurants. The most beautiful part is between Olaf Ryes plass and Birkelunden. "Grünerløkka" is popular among students and cool hipsters.

Thorvald Meyers gate

The renovated "Oslo Mathallen" is a successful mixture of market hall and restaurant. Many products of local producers can be consumed directly in the market hall. The "Mathallen" is a good place for lunch. The market hall is also a good place to buy souvenirs.

Maridalsveien 17

www.mathallenoslo.no

The top attraction of Oslo is the sculpture park of Gustav Vigeland in "Frognerparken". Between 1924 and 1943, the sculptor created over 200 sculptures of granite and bronze. The theme is the life of man, from childhood to death, with all life phases and feelings. The center of the complex is the 17 m high monolith, a granite column consisting of 121 figures. The artist has worked on these sculptures to handle his unhappy childhood.

Frognerparken

The famous Holmenkollen ski jump is located on a 400 m high mountain in the west of Oslo. Even in summer you can watch ski jumpers here or test your courage yourself on a steel cable. The wooded Holmenkollen is also suitable for hiking. The Holmenkollbakken is the symbol of Oslo. The ski jump is considered the first in the world. It was built in 1892. In 2010 the ski jump was renewed and since then offers space for 50,000 spectators.

The Holmenkollen can be easily reached from the city center by underground.

Holmenkollveien

www.skiforeningen.no