Hotels in Oslo
Tourism in Oslo
The city of Oslo is divided into forests, fjords and modernity, a combination worthy of a visit. It was originally founded around the year 1000; by the Norwegian king Harald the Ruthless. The city suffered numerous fires during the middle Ages and, after merging with Denmark, in the 17th century, King Christian IV renamed the city Christiana and built a fortress and the city that surrounds it. In the 19th century it became the capital of the Norwegian Kingdom and in 1925 its name was changed back to Oslo.
In the historic part of town, visitors can learn about 700 years of Oslo's history in the Akershus Fortress (Akershus Festning) and its medieval castle which was transformed into a Renaissance palace in the 17th century century. At the foot of the fortress and to the west one can visit the Nobel Peace Prize Centre (Nobels Fredssenter), City Hall (Ràdhus) with its two characteristic towers where the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded on December 10 every year and the Royal Palace (Det Kongelige Slott) with its neo-classical façade, currently one of the official residences of the royal family. Not far away, behind the palace, one can visit the Sculpture Park (Vigeland), one of the most attractive places in Oslo, where there are 212 breathtaking sculptures of Gustav Vigeland in the form of human figures in everyday poses. Near the grandiose neo-Romantic building of the Parliament (Storting) which dates from the 19th century, is Oslo Cathedral (Oslo Domkirke), a 17th-century Baroque building, with its impressive Baroque pulpit and enormous volume. On the way to the Central Train Station is the recently-built Opera House, inspired by an iceberg that emerges from the waters. Although it is quite far away, visitors should not miss the chance to see the Munch Museum in Tøyengata 53 and admire the works of this artist.
In the small peninsula of Bygdøy, one can enjoy a visit to the Polar vessel of Framm (Frammuseet) and learn about the history of polar expeditions. Without forgetting the Museum of the famous explorer Heyerdahl, the Kon-Tiki Museum and the Museum of Viking ships with boats that are perfectly preserved, dating back to the times of the Vikings. On the outskirts of Oslo is the Skiing Museum (Holmenkollen) where visitors can learn about the 4000 years of history of this sport and use the trampoline jump tower.
In the historic part of town, visitors can learn about 700 years of Oslo's history in the Akershus Fortress (Akershus Festning) and its medieval castle which was transformed into a Renaissance palace in the 17th century century. At the foot of the fortress and to the west one can visit the Nobel Peace Prize Centre (Nobels Fredssenter), City Hall (Ràdhus) with its two characteristic towers where the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded on December 10 every year and the Royal Palace (Det Kongelige Slott) with its neo-classical façade, currently one of the official residences of the royal family. Not far away, behind the palace, one can visit the Sculpture Park (Vigeland), one of the most attractive places in Oslo, where there are 212 breathtaking sculptures of Gustav Vigeland in the form of human figures in everyday poses. Near the grandiose neo-Romantic building of the Parliament (Storting) which dates from the 19th century, is Oslo Cathedral (Oslo Domkirke), a 17th-century Baroque building, with its impressive Baroque pulpit and enormous volume. On the way to the Central Train Station is the recently-built Opera House, inspired by an iceberg that emerges from the waters. Although it is quite far away, visitors should not miss the chance to see the Munch Museum in Tøyengata 53 and admire the works of this artist.
In the small peninsula of Bygdøy, one can enjoy a visit to the Polar vessel of Framm (Frammuseet) and learn about the history of polar expeditions. Without forgetting the Museum of the famous explorer Heyerdahl, the Kon-Tiki Museum and the Museum of Viking ships with boats that are perfectly preserved, dating back to the times of the Vikings. On the outskirts of Oslo is the Skiing Museum (Holmenkollen) where visitors can learn about the 4000 years of history of this sport and use the trampoline jump tower.