Mediaeval Oslo

The history of Oslo begins in the Middle Ages. The first town-like settlement probably appeared around the year 1000 AD. The mediaeval town was located below the Ekeberg hills, on the east side of the Bjørvika inlet, in the area today called Gamlebyen (Old Town).

Around the year 1300 AD, the population of Oslo was approximately 3000. King Håkon V (1299-1319) was the first king to reside in Oslo. The mediaeval town had six churches – the most important were the Maria Church and St Hallvard’s Cathedral.

There were also three convents in the city and one on the island Hovedøya. The building of Aker castle and fortress (later called Akershus) was commenced by Håkon V. Remains of mediaeval Oslo are found in Gamlebyen, in the form of ruins, building parts and cultural layers.

Here one also find Oslo Ladegård’s Mediaeval Office, that can help you with information about medieval Oslo or a guided tour in the ruin park. The Aker estate and Old Aker Church (Gamle Aker kirke) was a religious centre. This was also were the the governing assembly was located.

Oslo’s most visited attractions are:

Akershus Fortress (Akershus festning)

The building of Akershus Castle and Fortress was commenced in 1299 under King Håkon V. The mediaeval castle, which was completed in the 1300s, had a strategical location at the very end of the headland, and withstood a number of sieges throughout the ages. King Christian IV (1588-1648) had the castle modernised and converted into a Renaisssance castle and royal residence. During the 17th and 18th centuries, the castle fell into decay, and restoration work only started in 1899.

National Gallery (Nasjonalgalleriet)

Founded in 1837, the National Gallery houses Norway’s largest public collection of paintings, drawings and sculptures. The museum’s central attractions include Edvard Munch’s The Scream and Madonna and paintings by Cézanne og Manet.

In the permanent and temporary exhibitions, the museum presents older art, with principal emphasis on art from Norway. The permanent exhibition Art 3 shows highlights from the collection and national icons from the romantic period to the mid-1900s. Also on display are works by international painters and sculptors, including the French impressionists.

Norwegian Museum of Cultural History (Norsk Folkemuseum)

In the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History, one of Europe’s largest open-air museums, one can find a variety of traditional houses from all over Norway. During the summer season lots of activities take place such as folk dancing, arts and crafts, baking, domestic animals, shows etc. Several indoor exhibits with traditional handicraft items, folk costumes, furniture and church interiors.

Recommended activities for children are horse and carriage rides, or a visit to the animals or an old-fashioned candy store.

The Norwegian Opera andBallet (Den Norske Opera and Ballet)

The Norwegian National Opera and the Norwegian National Ballet is Norway’s biggest culture and stage institution.

Oslo’s new Opera House opened on April 12, 2008 and is now the home of the Norwegian Opera and Ballet. The spectacular building has a fabulous location by the seaside and was designed by renowned Norwegian architecture firm Snøhetta.

Vigeland Sculpture Park (Vigelandsparken)

Vigelandsparken is one of Norway’s most visited attractions with more than one million visitors every year. The unique sculpture park is the life work of the sculptor Gustav Vigeland (1869-1943) with more than 200 sculptures in bronze, granite and cast iron. Vigeland was also responsible for the design and architectural outline of the park. A monumental artistic creation with a human message that is well worth seeing. The park is open all year at all times and is a popular recreation area.

Fram Museum – The Polar Ship Fram

Fram is the strongest wooden ship ever built and still holds the records for sailing farthest north and farthest south. Fram and the breathtaking stories from her expeditions create excitement among audiences from all over the world. Visitors are welcome to come aboard the ship and to see how the crew and their dogs lived and managed to survive in the coldest and most dangerous places on earth – the Arctic and the Antarctic.