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Oslo - Norway
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| About Oslo |
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The name Os-lo is derived from the Norse words for "God" and "field"
and Oslo is the oldest of the Scandinavian capitals. It is a huge
city (175 square miles) and also one of the world's most beautifully
sited capitals, located at the end of the 110 km long (70 miles) Oslofjord.
Starting at the innermost shore of the Oslo Fjord, Oslo sprawls up
the sides of the mountains that surrounds it.
It is inhabited by a relatively small population (480,000) compared
to Continental European standards, but is still cosmopolitan. Visiting
Oslo is a celebration of contrasts, there is so much to discover both
day and night that many visitors end up extending their stay.
Oslo offers a rural landscape, amazing views and a vibrant city life.
During winter, both inhabitants and visitors can ski along an impressive
number of ski trails. Whilst during summer, visitors can enjoy sea
activities on the island beaches just offshore in the magnificent
Oslo Fjord as well as walking, running or cycling in the Vigeland
Park or on 1860 miles of hiking paths.
Throughout the City there are many shops. Your list of 'must visit'
should include GlasMagasinet shopping mall. You can also enjoy a Fishermen's
Wharf type of atmosphere at Aker Brygge.
Norway was a comparatively late bloomer on the cultural scene in Europe.
However, both Norway and Oslo can now present an impressive gallery
of artists from the last 150 years; notably Gustav Vigeland (sculptor),
Edvard Grieg (music), Edvard Munch (painter) and Henrik Ibsen (writer).
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| Shopping in Oslo |
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Karl Johan Street
This is the main artery of modern Oslo and runs from the Royal Palace
past the University, the National Theatre, the Oslo Cathedral and
ends at Oslo S, the central railway station. Karl Johan Street is
a broad pedestrian street for most of its length and this and the
streets that intersect with it are the focal point of Oslo shopping.
Bærums Verk
Up to 65 different shops and handicraft stores are located in an old
iron works which dates from 1610, this is surrounded by pristine forests.
You can find everything from applied art and handicraft exhibitions
to book stores and an iron works museum.
Bogstad veien
If you have some spare time and energy whilst visiting the Vigeland
Park, it is highly recommended that you walk along the Bogstad veien
shopping street, which starts at the western side of the Royal Palace
Park and goes all the way up to Majorstuen, near the Vigeland Park.
Grünerløkka
Grünerløkka has recently become one of Oslo's trendiest
neighbourhoods. What was once a working class area for over 100 years
now offers a wide range of shops and restaurants. |
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| Transport in Oslo |
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The 24, 48 and 72 hour Oslo Card for adults/children includes unlimited
travel on all of Oslo's public transport systems, free museum admissions,
free on street parking at metered parking places, free mini cruise,
shopping discounts, cinema discounts, and more. An Oslo Family Card
is valid for 2 adults and 2 children. It can be bought from the Oslo
tourist information office at Oslo Central Station and the Norwegian
Information Centre, "Trafikanten" at Oslo Central Station, hotels,
campsites, central post offices and downtown Narvesen newsagents.
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| Places to visit in Oslo |
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The Royal Palace
Norway is a constitutional monarchy. The Head of State is King Harald.
The Royal Palace is located at the top end of the Karl Johan Street,
with a statue of Karl Johan situated in front of the Palace (King
of Sweden and Norway from 1818-1844). The Royal Palace was completed
in 1848 and has been recently renovated. Every year on 17th May (Constitution
Day) dancing children, marching bands and most of the population of
Oslo parade past its balcony, waving to the Royal Family.
The City Hall
At the edge of Oslo's colourful harbour is this modern twin-towered
landmark building. It was opened in 1950 to celebrate the city's 900th
anniversary. It's interior is awe inspiring with colourful frescos
and murals depicting daily life, viking gods and Norwegian cultural
figures. Many leading Norwegian painters and sculptors contributed
to the decorations. The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded in the Main Hall
each December.
The Norwegian Parliament Building
The Parliament building is located on a small hill about half way
down the Karl Johan Street and was finished around 1850. The Legislature
is a unicameral one, made up of 165 members. The Monarch officially
appoints the prime minister.
Akershus Fortress
This is Norway's most important medieval monument and was built around
1300. The fortress is used for state occasions these days and overlooks
the harbour . The Akershus Castle has dungeons, plush upper floors
with banquet halls and staterooms, and the chapel is used for royal
events. The chapel holds the crypts of King Haakon VII and King Olav
V. The Defense Museum and the Resistance Museum displaying the resistance
movement during World War II should also be seen.
Oslo Cathedral
This 17th century cathedral was completed in 1699. The bronze doors
and stained glass are original and the interior is definately worth
a look.
Historical Museum
See Norwegian history depicted from the Stone Age to the Middle Ages.
On display are Viking and medieval artifacts alongside Arctic exhibitions,
Norwegian coins and notes and much more.
The National Gallery
This is Norway's official art museum. You can see paintings by famous
Norwegian artists such as Christian Krogh, Edvard Munch and J.C. Dahl.
Make sure you see Edvard Munch's most famous painting - The Scream.
The National Theatre
There are statues of Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson (who wrote
the national anthem and received a Nobel Price in literature) and
Norways's most famous writer Henrik Ibsen in front of the National
Theatre. The lavish Rococo hall, built to stage Henrik Ibsen's plays
can be seen here.
Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art
The museum is housed in a modern building consisting of brick and
glass with 6m high steel entrance doors. There are permanent exhibitions
of several private collections which include works from most of the
important post-war Norwegian artists. Other exhibitions are changed
regularly.
The Munch Museum
Located in the eastern part of Oslo, this museum has one of Norway's
best museum shops, and coffee and meals can be obtained at the Italian
museum restaurant. One of Scandinavias greatest and most recognised
artists, Edvard Munch, gave a collection of more than 5000 pieces
of his works to the city upon his death in 1944.
The Oslo Museum of Applied Art
Norwegian and international applied art, fashion and design from the
6th to the 20th century. Ther are permanent collections as well as
temporary exhibitions.
The Stenersen Museum
Showing a representative selection of Norwegian art from 1850 to 1970,
it houses permanent collections that include works by Ludvig O. Ravensberg
and Edvard Munch The museum also stages changing exhibitions, mainly
in the fields of photography and Nordic contemporary art.
The Vigeland Museum
This museum contains nearly all the works of the famous Norwegian
sculptor Gustav Vigeland.
The Norwegian Museum of Architecture
Specialising in architectural heritage and comtemporary architecture,
the museum was founded in 1975. The focus is particularly on Norwegian
architecture after 1900.
The City Museum of Oslo
The museum is situated near the Vigeland Park and the Vigeland Museum.
It presents the history of Oslo through a millennium exhibition: "The
peopling of Oslo", shown with models, exhibitions, paintings and photographs.
The first floor in the Frogner Manor shows interiors from 1750-1900.
Norway's Resistance Museum
This is in the Akershus Fortress, and documents the hardships and
struggles for freedom during the five years that Norway was occupied
during World War II.
Museum of Natural History and Botanical Garden
Containing the Botanical Garden with greenhouses, Geological and Paleontological
Museum and Zoological Museum. |
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