On this page visitors can see a complete list of the most famous tourist attractions in Oslo. This is also the fastest way to get to know Oslo and all its sights. Oslo is a Viking city created on the fjords, one of the best and safest places to live today, and this is also a city of numerous cultural sights that testify to the incredible history of this place as well as the people who live there.
Akershus Fortress, located in the city center, is a wonderful place for exploring the history of Oslo. The construction of the castle and Akershus Fortress began in 1299. during the reign of King Haakon V. The medieval castle, finished in 1300, served to protect from enemy attacks. For some time, the castle also served as prison with a special area for slaves (Slaveriet) which could be used for work in the city. The castle was used for protection for the first time when it was attacked by Swedish Duke Erich. At the beginning of the 17th century, King Christian IV modernized the fortress and even turned the king’s residence into a Renaissance castle.
The building you cannot but notice on your visit to Oslo is certainly Oslo City Hall, located by the shore. The hall has a unique look- it is built of red bricks, has a flat roof and two towers built in the architectural style of functionalism. The City Hall (Radhaus in Norwegian) opened in 1950, and was built between 1931. and 1950. with interruptions in the construction during World War II. It was designed by the architects Arnstein Arneberg and Magnus Poulsson. The two towers located in the building itself are 63m and 66m high, whereas the eastern tower has a set of 49 bells.
Oslo Cathedral is located in Karl Johans Gate Street, the main street in Oslo, and it represents the main church for the Norwegian Church Diocese in Oslo, whereas the Royal Family of Norway and the Government of Norway use it for weddings and funerals. There existed two cathedrals before this church was built. The first of them, Hallward Cathedral, was built by Norwegian King Sigurd I in the first half of the 12th century. Hallward Cathedral was the most important church in town for almost 500 years.
The magnificent Royal Palace is located on the Bellevue hill, at the end of the main street of Karl Johans. There is a statue of the King riding a horse in front of the gate. The statue looks towards the main street named in the honor of the king- Karl Johans Gate Street. Since 1814, the palace has been a historical symbol. The proposition to build a king’s residence in Oslo was first declared in Storting in 1821. A year later, in spite of many pressures imposed on Norwegian economy, the National Assembly of Norway decided to spend 150000 dollars on the construction.
The Opera in Oslo is some of the most popular modern buildings in Norway. With its Scandinavian architecture, the building leaves the visitors completely breathless. An anonymous contest for the construction of the Opera was announced in 2000, and 350 projects arrived from all parts of the world. Snøhetta, a Norwegian firm for architecture, provided a successful response to the task and it received several prestigious awards. The construction began in 2003, and ended in 2007. The Opera is located on the east side of the city center, only a few steps away from the central station of Oslo (Oslo S).
