City Center - South, Oslo

West of Oslo's Exchange, in Bankplass, a large granite building in Norwegian art nouveau style (by I. O. Hjort, 1902), originally the head office of the Norwegian National Bank, now houses the National Museum of Contemporary Art (Museet for Samtidskunst), opened in 1990. The museum displays works by modern Norwegian and international artists from the end of the Second World War to the present day (periodic special exhibitions, covering particular fields or particular periods; traveling exhibitions). The museum has a total exhibition area of 4,000sq.m/43,000sq.ft, on three floors; cafeteria.

To the west of southern central Oslo, rising above the Oslofjord on the promontory of Akersnes, is Akershus Castle, begun by Håkon V at the end of the 13th century. In the reign of Christian IV the medieval stronghold was converted into a Renaissance castle and the fortifications were extended.The entrance, in Festningsplass, leads up to the Castle proper, now used for government receptions and other functions. Visitors are shown various rooms, including Christian IV's Hall and the chapel, with the tomb of Håkon VII (1872-1957) in the crypt.

In Oslo's old Arsenal in Nedre Akershus is the Military Museum, with displays of weapons and other exhibits illustrating the history of the Norwegian forces and the defense of Norway down the centuries.

This privately owned museum, Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art, features temporary international artist exhibitions. There is also a collection of Norwegian contemporary art.