Be my guest Oslo. In harmony with nature and art

It is best to start discovering Oslo with a walk along the promenade of Karl Johans Gate, which is over one kilometre long. When walking along the main shopping and tourist street of Oslo, you will see, among others, Stortinget, i.e. the building of the unicameral parliament of the Kingdom of Norway. The Neo-Romanesque facility is open to tourists, but only at certain times and with a guide. Moreover, between the royal palace and the parliament, you will find the National Theatre. The play “Life – the Only Way”, which presents the biography of Wisława Szymborska, a poet connected with Kraków and a Nobel Prize winner in the field of literature, was staged there.

A few dozen meters from the theatre, there is a characteristic and controversial Town Hall. According to some, the building resembles three pieces of goat cheese (geitost) joined together. The seat of the city council arouses various emotions among the inhabitants of the central part of Østlandet. Nevertheless, it is an excellent example of functionalism, a trend in architecture and urban planning, the guiding principle of which was to consider functions as the most important factor in the design of objects. In the vicinity of the town hall there is the Nobel Peace Center, which deserves special attention as every year on December 10, the ceremony of awarding the Nobel Peace Prize is held within its walls.

In close proximity to the main street of Oslo, there is also a baroque cathedral (Oslo Domkirke). It is extremely important for Norwegians, since coronations and weddings of members of the royal family take place inside it. The Royal Palace, the official seat of King Harald V and his wife Sonja Haraldsen, is crowned by Karl Johans Gate. If you like walking, be sure to visit the magnificent park surrounding the residence, which is open to visitors.

Oslo is characterized by numerous parks that are distinguished by the presence of art, a great example of which is the Vigeland Park, a part of the Frognerparken complex. The art piece, designed by Gustav Vigeland, a sculptor and student of Rodin himself, consists of 212 sculptures. The figures present sadness, anger, embarrassment, reverie or joy. The most famous work Monolith, often called the human tower of Babel, consists of 121 figures – children, young people and the elderly. Their facial expressions and bodies are full of extreme emotions that express the will to survive and the need for contact with another person.

If contemporary art is not close to your hearts, climb the hill on which the Akershus Fortress stands. The construction of the citadel began at the end of the 13th century. Due to its location by the sea, the castle had protected the capital of Norway from enemy attacks for centuries. It was never conquered. It is best to visit the fortress in the morning – it is more peaceful at that time than in the afternoon, and thus you can enjoy not only the beautiful views, but also silence. Admission to the medieval complex is free.

Only about a 15 minute-walk from Akershus separates you from the Norwegian National Opera. The building is located in the port of Bjorvika in the eastern part of the city. Particularly noteworthy is the sloping roof of the building covered with white marble tiles. You can climb it and see the wonderful panorama of Oslo while standing at the meeting point of land, water and art. You do not have to pay for this attraction either. The opera house also looks great in the evening. Its facade illuminates the promenade leading to the seashore.

The lively Grünerløkka, with numerous designer stores, bookstores, a flea market and vintage salons, is the perfect place to buy an original travel souvenir. This artistic neighbourhood is full of culinary places and unusual shops, but also graffiti and murals.