Oslo, Norway - May 15/16
We loved Oslo, a city added to our itinerary only recently with changes made because of the Russia/Ukraine situation.Set on a splendid bay amid stunning fjords and hills, Oslo is one of Scandinavia's most vibrant cities.
It is Norway's most populated, with over 700,000 residents and has waterfront promenades, parks and beautiful buildings all around. We've never seen so many lilacs in bloom, surrounding parks and properties.
Oslo was founded by a Norseman, King Harald III, and has grown over the centuries around the Akershus Fortress, a medieval and Renaissance gem central to Norway's identity. We toured the castle, the church and Resistance museum within the fortress walls, located very close to the ship.
The city also has a impressive artistic heritage. Its most famous painter is Edvard Munch, whose work The Scream is known the world over. But Gustav Vigeland's 200 plus sculptures are the most prominent works in the city, on full display in Vigeland Park, free to the public and always open. Oslo is also the site of the annual Nobel Peace Prize ceremony, which takes place in the gorgeous City Hall.
A love of the outdoor world is palpable in this very cosmopolitan city. Everyone rides bikes, scooters, goes skiing, takes hikes, and enjoys the numerous beautiful grassy expanses of public parks.
A short ferry leads to Bygdøy, the green "Museum Peninsula" jutting into the Oslofjord. A new art museum is said to be the largest in Northern Europe.
The city also has a impressive artistic heritage. Its most famous painter is Edvard Munch, whose work The Scream is known the world over. But Gustav Vigeland's 200 plus sculptures are the most prominent works in the city, on full display in Vigeland Park, free to the public and always open. Oslo is also the site of the annual Nobel Peace Prize ceremony, which takes place in the gorgeous City Hall.
A love of the outdoor world is palpable in this very cosmopolitan city. Everyone rides bikes, scooters, goes skiing, takes hikes, and enjoys the numerous beautiful grassy expanses of public parks.
A short ferry leads to Bygdøy, the green "Museum Peninsula" jutting into the Oslofjord. A new art museum is said to be the largest in Northern Europe.
People walk along the roof of the Opera House and also enjoy the Palace Gardens, the Palace, the Munch, Maritime, and Fram Museums, and so much more in this city mixing old with new so well. The Holmenkollen ski jump is amazing to see and was the 1st ski jump in Oslo, originally built in 1892.
One of Vigeland Park's centerpieces. Over 130 granite carved bodies depicting the circle of life
Oslo harbor
Opera House roof walking and Edvard Munch museum to its right
Hollmenkollen ski jump
Steep Hollmenkollen ski jump
Behind and under the ski lift
Gates at Vigeland Park
Vigelands sculpture over river
Liacs in bloom everywhere
Royal Palace
Near the Palace garden
Oslo harbor
Oslo harbor
Outside the marvelous City Hall
Inside City Hall where Nobel Peace Prize is awarded each year
City Hall
City Hall
Edvard Munch painting in City Hall
City Hall wall and ceiling
Akershus Castle and Fortress
Inside the Castle Courtyard
Castle Courtyard
Outside the Castle w our ship behind us
Oslo Harbor from fortress
Church inside Castle
Inside Castle
Aleem, Cindy, Jim, Lynn hapoened to be cruising past when I took this from our balcony.
With only two days in Oslo, we could not fit it all in, but loved every moment.
One of Vigeland Park's centerpieces. Over 130 granite carved bodies depicting the circle of life
Don, Lynn and me inside City Hall balcony
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