Central Area, Oslo
|
|
The central area of Oslo includes Karl Johansgate, the Royal Palace and the City Center.
Related Attractions
| Highlights: |
|---|
Norwegian National Gallery
In Oslo's Universitetsgate (No. 13), which flanks the east side of the University, is the National Gallery (Nasjonalgalleriet; built 1879-81, with extensions in 1907 and 1924), which displays mainly works by Norwegian painters from the 19th century to the present day. Among the artists represented are J. C. Dahl (1788-1857), T. Fearnley (1802-42), H. F. Gude (1825-1903), H. O. Heyerdahl (1857-1913), C. Krohg (1852-1925), G. P. Munthe (1849-1929), E. Peterssen (1852- 1928) and A. Tidemand (1814-76). A special room is devoted to Edvard Munch.There are also works by Danish and Swedish artists, pictures by El Greco, Rubens and Rembrandt and a collection of paintings by modern French artists (Cézanne, Degas, Gauguin, Manet and Matisse), as well as a room containing casts of antique sculpture.
Oslo Historical Museum
Beyond the National Gallery (entrance at Frederiksgate 2) is the Historical Museum (1903), which contains Oslo University's historical and ethnographic collections. Among the Nordic antiquities the rich collection of material on the Viking age (ca. 800-1050) is particularly noteworthy. There are also a collection of material on the Eskimo and Siberian peoples and a coin cabinet.
Ibsen Museum
The Ibsen Museum features the life and works of Henrik Ibsen as well as the apartment in which he spent his last 11 years. The Ibsen apartment features original furnishings with the library, dining room and parlours open to the public.
Oslo Spektrum Arena
The Oslo Spektrum is home to a variety of cultural and entertainment events. Some of the events include the Nobel Peace Prize Concert, the Eurovision Song Contest, Pop Idol finals, the Spellemannprisen award ceremony and Oslo Horse Show. It is also a popular location for trade fairs.
Royal Palace
At the northwest end of Oslo's Karl Johansgate, on higher ground, stands the Norwegian Royal Palace (Det Kongelige Slott), a long building erected between 1825 and 1848 (not open to the public). In front of the palace is an equestrian statue (by B. Bergslien, 1875) of King Carl XIV Johan. In the park surrounding the palace, near Karl Johansgate, can be seen a monument (by G. Vigeland) to the mathematician N. H. Abel (1802-29), and behind the palace, to the right, is a statue, also by Vigeland, of the woman writer Camilla Collett (1813-95).Public may visit the gardens and watch the changing of the guard.
Nobel Institute
Along the south side of the Royal Palace park in Oslo runs Henrik Ibsens gate 51 (formerly Drammensveien 19), and at its intersection with Parkveien, to the right, is the Norwegian Nobel Institute. The Nobel Peace Prize is presented annually on December 10 in the Great Hall of the University to a person selected by the Norwegian Nobel Committee from among names put forward by parliamentarians from all over the world.
Presentation of the Nobel Peace Prize
Presentation of the Nobel Peace Prize is in Oslo on Dec. 10.
City Center - North
Trinity Church
From the Storting, Oslo's Akersgate leads northeast past the modern Government Buildings (1957- 59; Nos. 42-44) to the Trinity Church (Trefoldighetskirke; 1853-58), a neo-Gothic brick building. Notable features of the interior are the stained glass (by F. Haavardsholm) in the choir, the altar, with a painting of the Baptism of Christ, and the fine organ-case.
Oslo Municipal Library
Beyond the Oslo's Trinity Church, to the east, are the Deichman Library (the Municipal Library, with some 1,378,000 volumes) and the Swedish Margaretakirke (1926). To the southeast, in Youngstorg, is the Norske Opera (1958).
Museum of Applied Art
At the north end of Akersgate is St Olav's Church (1853; R.C.). Opposite the church, at St Olavsgate 1, is Oslo's Museum of Applied Art (Kunstindustrimuseet), which gives an excellent survey of the development of the applied and decorative arts in Norway (tapestries, including the fine Baldishol Tapestry of about 1180 from Baldishol church in Hedmark county; metalwork, glass, furniture, etc.). Associated with the Museum is a School of Arts and Crafts.
Cemetery of Our Savior
North of Oslo's Museum of Applied Art, between Ullevålsveien and Akersveien, is the Cemetery of Our Savior (Vor Frelsers Gravlund), with the graves of Bjørnson and Ibsen, the painter H. F. Gude and the poet Henrik Wergeland.
Old Aker Church
At the north end of Akersveien is Oslo's Old Aker Church (Gamle Akerskirke), a basilican church in Anglo-Norman style which first appears in the records before 1150 and may have been founded by Olav Kyrre (restored 1861).
St Hanshaugen Park
To the north of the Cemetery of Our Savior in Oslo, between Ullevålsveien and Geitmyrsveien, lies the beautiful park of St Hanshaugen (concerts in summer).
| Highlights: |
|---|
Oslo
Bergen
Trondheim
Stavanger
LillehammerMap of Oslo Attractions
Oslo Map
More Oslo Attractions
Popular Destinations Nearby
