Oslo
The castle of Akershus is a splendid fortress overlooking the Oslo Fjord, has a strategic position on the top of the hill Akersneset, is a building in classic medieval style of military mold that has represented on several occasions, over the centuries, an impenetrable bulwark to defend the entire city of Oslo. The castle is still a military base and the seat of the Ministry of Defence. Inside it preserves Renaissance halls, the tombs of the Norwegian monarchs and the Museum of the Armed Forces and the Museum of the Resistance.
The trendiest district of Oslo, Grünerløkka, is the perfect place to buy second-hand items, antiques or vintage items in small boutiques; it is the best neighbourhood in Oslo to listen to good live music, in the many cafes and taverns. During the twentieth century the district experienced a period of great transformation and became the main core of the capital’s street art, the streets were filled with graffiti and murals, vintage shops and street musicians. Nowadays Grünerløkka is the centre of the nightlife of Oslo. If you want to discover the quietest part of Oslo, we recommend you to take a walk to Grünerløkka along the banks of the river Akerselva.
The Oslo Opera and Ballet Theatre is one of the city’s main cultural centres and one of the capital’s most iconic monuments; it is located on the North Sea shores, from the top you have a breath-taking view of the Oslo fjord, of the Fortress of Akershus, of the island of museums and Bjorkiva district, which makes it the ideal place to enjoy the calm and the panorama of Oslo.
The architecture of the building is avant-garde, with the facade entirely covered with white marble and glass, this detail gives it a touch of harmony and tranquillity.
Inside the walls of the main vestibule are covered in oak and the large windows of the upper part give light to the building.
The imposing palace of the Norwegian Parliament, the Stortinget, is a massive building built in 1866 in neo-Romanesque style with sandstone bricks. The lions guarding the entrance to the Parliament were carved in granite. The House of Parliament resembles a ballroom.
The structure can only be visited with a guide during the summer and on Saturdays.
In the heart of the city is the Municipality of Oslo, the political and administrative seat of the Norwegian capital. It is a building with a sober style, the dark colour of the facade makes the common stand out on all the other buildings of the port, the two rectangular towers can be seen from different points of the city and makes it a real landmark.
The Royal Palace of Oslo, or Kongelige Slott, is the most important of the royal residences of Norway. Built between 1824 and 1848, the brick building is in neoclassical style. The main facade is enriched by monumental columns. The changing of the guard can be observed every day at 13.30. The castle is open for guided tours during the summer.
In addition to visiting the Royal Palace, you can take a walk through the surrounding gardens.
The Vigelandsparken, also known as Frognerparken, is the largest park in the world that houses the sculptures made by a single artist.
The more than 200 sculptures in the park represent human subjects capable of transmitting different moods at different times of life, which allows the visitor to identify with the works of art of the Norwegian architect.
In the wrought iron gates located at the entrance it is possible to observe human figures that on one side appear in front and on the other back.
The buildings that make up the district Tjuvholmen have been designed by about 20 different architects, creating a concentrated example of the trends of contemporary urban architecture. Tjuvholmen is also characterized by elaborate outdoor spaces, including several humorous outdoor artworks.
At the point where Tjuvholmen meets the fjord is located the Astrup Fearnley museum of Master Renzo Piano.
Aker Brygge is a real modern district close to the Oslo Fjord. The buildings have a well-defined style with a mix of tradition and modern architecture.
It is a combination of architecture and panorama of the Oslo fjord, a combination that creates a unique window, a pearl on the sea.
One of the most interesting areas of Aker Brygge is the The Sneak Peak, a particular crystal tower with an elevator that rises up to 54 meters in height to allow you to enjoy a different overview of the city and neighborhood.
Also known as the Church of Our Saviour, the Cathedral of Oslo (Domkirke) is a baroque temple built during the second half of the 17th century.
The Cathedral of Oslo is not particularly flashy neither inside nor outside, it is famous above all for the pictorial decoration of the vaults.