Schmap Oslo Historical Background

Our apologies: your internet browser is not yet fully supported by our Schmap online guides. If you continue, pages in this guide may display or function incorrectly.

Would you like to continue anyway?

Schmap.com supports the following browsers:

Internet Explorer 6 and above
Firefox 1.5 and above
Safari 3 for Pc

MAC

Safari version 1.3 and above
Firefox 2 and above

Oslo - Historical Background
Download the Schmap Oslo Guide
With Schmap 2.0 you can:

Browse this Schmap Guide on your PC, online or offline.
View Schmap Guides for 200 worldwide destinations.
Bookmark places of interest, plan trips and take virtual tours.
Custom print your own full-color travel guides.
Publish and share schmapplets with your favorite places
Enjoy many more unique Schmap features.

Oslo Home

The Icelandic writer Snorre Sturlason describes that Harald Hardråde established a trading centre east of Oslo in 1050. Archaeologists have found proof that people lived in Oslo permanently from about the year 1000; therefore Oslo celebrated its 1000-year anniversary in the year 2000. The first people of Oslo lived in humble wooden houses with turf roofs, with sheds for goats, sheep and cows. Christianity had newly come to Norway, and soon managed to get a good foothold. Over three hundred years, four monasteries and six churches were built in Oslo.

The First Great Era

The first great era of Oslo began after Håkon V Magnusson's crowning in 1299. He married the Northern German princess Euphemia of Rügens, and built the fort at Akershus where he later moved to.

Union of Sweden & Norway

In 1301 Duke Erik of Sweden came to Norway to visit his one-year-old fiancée, princess Ingebjørg, daughter of Queen Euphemia and Håkon V Magnusson. 18 years later Ingebjørg and Erik inherited the throne of Sweden and Norway. The first union between the two countries was signed in the Bishop's castle, where Oslo Ladegård is today.

The Middle Ages & The Black Death

During the Middle Ages Oslo covered an area the size of the Royal Palace Garden, Slottsparken, with its 3,000 inhabitants. When the Black Death arrived in Oslo in 1349, half of the inhabitants died. After the plague, Norway became a province ruled by Denmark, and Copenhagen became the official capital city. The kings had their residence in Copenhagen and Stockholm for most of the time through 1400-1500. Being so close to the two other union countries, Oslo had an important political role, however.

The Reformation

One night in 1523 soldiers under the Danish-Norwegian monarchy forced their way into the Maria Church, and removed all the treasures. The Catholic bishop of Oslo, Hans Rev, converted soon after to Protestantism. Despite the reluctance of the citizens, the Reformation was completed in 1537. The ruins of the Cistercian convent at Hovedøya witness this process.

Destruction & Reconstruction

It took flames only three days to burn down the city of Oslo in 1624. After several menacing fires King Christian IV of Denmark-Norway decided to build the town up from scratch, but this time on the other side of Bjørvika. The people protested, and the king himself had to come to Norway to force through his will to re-site the city, which he renamed after himself.

“Christiania”

With its new Renaissance style, Christiania was built close to the thirteenth-century fortress at Akershus Castle. To reduce the risk of a new fire, only brick buildings were allowed within the city borders. This manifested the social differences between the rich and the poor. Poor people had to live in the suburbs in wooden buildings. The social gap in Oslo became even bigger towards the seventeenth century; the most fortunate built up vast amounts of capital from trading wood, as shipping and railroads improved the communication within Norway.

Foreign Influences

During the eighteenth century foreign impulses shaped the everyday life of the citizens of Oslo. Traders often went to Europe, where the Enlightenment thrived. Their most important trading partners were the colonial powers Great Britain and Holland, and they came home with their heads full of enlightened ideas and their luggage full of tobacco, coffee, tea and spices. They did not wait long before they started to build luxurious houses with magnificent gardens. One of the wealthiest families in town, Collett, lived in the grand house on the corner of Kirkegata and Tollbugata. Today you can find Collettgården rebuilt at the Norwegian Folk Museum.

Occupation of Christiania

One early morning in 1716 the Swedish king Karl XII and his troops easily occupied Christiania. The authorities had to escape, but even after six weeks of intense fighting the Swedish troops did not manage to force Akershus Castle to its knees. He left Akershus Castle unbesieged, but Christiania was plundered and spoiled, and many lives were lost. Today you can see one of King Karl's cannonballs built into the wall of the old main post office as a memory to king Karl's onslaught. Originally the ball hit the building that used to be where the post office is now.

Christiania-the New Capital City

It was said of nineteenth-century Christiania, at that time a small, provincial town, that it was "a town with more animals than people". The king of Denmark gave up Norway to Sweden in the celebrated year of 1814. Norway formed its first constitution on 17 May the same year and Christiania became the capital city. People joyfully roamed the streets, their happiness hardly shadowed by the new forced union with Sweden.

A Growing City

Christiania was now a capital city, and new functions made new demands. New monumental buildings were erected as a symbol of independence: the Royal Palace, the Bank of Norway and the stock exchange Oslo Børs. Some time later, in 1852, Norway's first university was built.

A new class of government officials, a rising economy and the most rapid growth of population in Europe, gave Christiania a brand-new look towards the middle of the nineteenth century. Increased trade and industrialization caused the new capital to expand its boundaries.

The extreme public building activity monopolized builders and resources and led to an ardent shortage of housing. A new social class arose with a growing demand for servants and day workers, and later industrial workers as the factories along Akerselva were built. Poor people from all over the country came to Christiania in search of jobs and prosperity, but only bad working conditions and long hours awaited them. The population increased from 40,000 to 200,000 between 1850 and 1900, and in some parts of the town as many ten people could live in small one-room apartments.

“Oslo”

In 1905 Norway was made independent from the union with Sweden, and Christiania became the capital of the country. It was not until 1924 that the city was renamed Oslo. In 1948 Oslo and the neighbouring community of Aker united; the city continued to grow, as optimism won after the decadent years of World War II and the German occupation during the years 1940-1945. "The city with the big heart", said the popular major Albert Nordengen of Oslo; this was the centre of Norway and the doorway to Europe.

The population growth eased during the late sixties. Oslo became less industrial, and more a capital city. A multitude of organizations and businesses and a powerful authority formed a bustling political center. The hippies came and after them hordes of young rebels and punks, and the group calling themselves Blitz occupied the house in which Edvard Munch grew up in. During the seventies and the eighties Løvebakken, in front of the Parliament building often became the arena for protests against controversial resolutions, like the EEC and use of nuclear weapons.

Oslo Today

Oslo today is made up of fine restaurants and a pulsating nightlife, with Italian espresso bars everywhere and Halal-meat at Brugata, not to forget soggy hamburgers and spicy kebabs in the taxi queues. Oslo is continually influenced by new technologies, urban and international impulses, immigrants and foreign cultures, making this small, big city what it is.

Copyright 1999-2005 Wcities, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Contact Wcities

Akershus Castle

Medieval castle

Oslo Mil. / Akershus
Oslo 0015
Norway
+47 22 41 2521

This former royal residence is located in the heart of Akershus fortress. Visitors wander the old halls and feel the passing of the centuries. The castle has been restored and is nowadays used for official functions. Visit the royal mausoleum where King Haakon VII and Olav V are buried together with Queen Maud and Märtha. Those wishing to finish off their excursion in a similarly historic setting can dine at Gamle Raadhus Restaurant, Engebret Café or the cosy Celsius. Guided tours are arranged in English and Norwegian at 11am, 1pm & 3pm Mon-Sat, 1pm & 3pm Sun.Admission:Adults NOK 30 Children and OAPs NOK 10

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Martin Hapl

Photo: joys_en

Photo: Maria Vilaro

Photo: Gerry Gray

Photo: bsandvik

Photo: David Baron

Photo: kijones77379

Photo: Don César

Photo: Lo_J

Photo: Stig Hodnebrog

Photo: Lars Tiede

Akershus Castle photo by Mariella Mancini

Photo: Mariella Mancini

Photo: Lars Somby

Photo: John and Gaye

Photo: DAVID HOLT

Photo: Bob Sundahl

Akershus Castle photo by Andrea Garavaglia

Photo: Andrea Garavaglia

Photo: A K Kaarsberg

Photo: Nick Seretis

Akershus Castle photo by Thorsteinn Egilson

Photo: Thorsteinn Egilson

Akershus Castle photo by Odd Erik Garcia

Photo: Odd Erik Garcia

Photo: Thomas Collin

Akershus Castle photo by Sigríður Júlíusdótti

Photo: Sigríður Júlíusdótti

Akershus Castle photo by ALEXANDER MILES

Photo: ALEXANDER MILES

Photo: Hans Erik S.

Photo: Bushman.K

Photo: richclarke1248

Photo: Erlend Oftedal

Photo: Ole Palmstrom

Edvard Munchs House

Childhood home and mural Pilestredet 30
Oslo 0164
Norway
Three attractions share the same house. Edvard Munch, the painter, was born at Pilestredet 29 and lived here as a child. The mural of The Scream, based on Edvard Munch's painting and recreated here in black and white, is very impressive and was made by architecture students when the buildings were threatened by demolition. This is one of Oslo's few murals and should be seen. Close by is the Blitz building, which offers punk concerts and various political activities, as well as tasty waffles and cheap vegetarian food.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: skerrie
Photo: Dragan Matic, CROPIX

Maria Bebudelses Orthodox Church

Orthodox church Thor Olsens gate 9
Oslo 0177
Norway
+47 22 11 5033 There is no telling what God's plan was for this strange little church, known at least locally as the "Day of Judgement Church". The Catholic Apostolic congregation that had it built in 1892 more or less died out around 1960, and so the church was out of use for over two decades. During this period the rumour started going around that a re-inauguration would herald the end of the world. The Greek-Orthodox congregation obviously had no time for superstition, as they moved here in 1986 (or maybe no one told them about the sinister prediction). The Congregation of the Annunciation (Evangelismos Tis Theotokou) has some 500 members, and frequently they bring in a priest from Sweden. From time to time the church is lent to the Serbian Orthodox community (+47 66 90 6384) as well as the Bulgarian one.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Maria Bebudelses Orthodox Church photo by wcities
Photo: wcities

Norsk Folkemuseum

Visit the Norwegian folk museum Museumsveien 10
(Bygd‚àö‚àèy)
Oslo 0287
Norway
+47 22 12 3700
http://www.norskfolke.museum.no Norsk Folkemuseum, the 100-year-old, open-air museum contains more than 150 authentic buildings from different regions. The buildings date from as far back as medieval times, including the 13th century Gol stave church. The permanent exhibition features sections on handicrafts, traditional clothing and the culture of the Sami people. A souvenir shop, cafe and restaurant are located on the grounds.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Stig Andersen
Photo: Stig Andersen
Photo: DAN VARTANIAN
Photo: Joan Junyent
Photo: teaandcakes
Photo: Mike Steber
Photo: Johan de Keulenaer
Photo: Rubi82

Photo: Rich Waugh
Photo: Marcela
Photo: Sam Doshi
Photo: MaxCere
Photo: iflaig
Photo: cupofsnowflakes

Oslo Manor House

Visit Medieval Oslo St. Hallvards plass
Oslo gate 13
Oslo 0192
Norway
+47 22 19 4468 The Medieval part of Oslo, right at the foot of Ekeberg hill, was neglected for decades, with main traffic arteries cutting through this exciting part of town. The whole area is now being completely upgraded and restored, and has centre for Medieval studies. Oslo Manor House, dating from 1720, presents an opportunity to see interiors, furniture and paintings from different periods. In the attic there are several models of Oslo in the Middle Ages, and also a light and sound show on the burial rites of that period.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Oslo Manor House photo by wcities
Photo: wcities

Parliament Building

The Norwegian Parliament Karl Johans gate 22
Oslo 0026
Norway
+47 23 31 3596
http://www.stortinget.no The Parliament building houses the Norwegian Storting(Parliament) and dates from 1866. Guided tours are arranged daily between 1 Jul and about 20 August in Norwegian, English, German and French at 10am, 11.30am and 1pm. Between 15 September and 15 June guided tours are arranged every Saturday (in Norwegian only) at 10am, 11.30am and 1pm. Tours for groups can be arranged upon request between September and June. Admission is free. The tours last approximately one hour.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Line G. Quinn
Photo: Bruce Marsland
Photo: Ralf Buerkle
Photo: J. Arnor Lom
Photo: Robbie
Photo: Kevin Hoogheem
Photo: Frank Stjerne
Photo: Eric Miraglia

Photo: Mark Carandang
Photo: Andrea Snow-Weaver
Photo: Carolyn Paterson
Photo: Allison Harger
Photo: Naveen Kumar Vodapal
Photo: Kevin Baxter
Photo: skijor2
Photo: Bill Dutfield

Photo: 36ViewsGuy
Photo: Kelli Rowedder
Photo: William I. Robinson
Photo: Andrey Korchagin

Slottsbakken Hill

Royal residence Drammensveien 1
Oslo 0010
Norway
+47 22 04 8700
http://www.kongehuset.no Slottsbakken, the hill on top of which the palace is built, offers a magnificent view over Karl Johans Gate. On Norwegian National Day (17 May), the King and the rest of the royal family stand on the balcony and wave at thousands of children parading down the street. Tours are arranged three times an hour between 17 June and 12 August. Please note that tickets must be purchased in advance.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Katrina
Photo: PDXdj
Photo: Haakon Hansen
Photo: PDXdj
Photo: atcy
Photo: Laurent

Other Schmapplets in this city related to "Oslo - Historical Background"
Oslo
Oslo - Neighborhood Guide
Oslo - Where to Stay
Oslo - Dining & Drinking
Oslo - Art & Entertainment
Other nearby cities:
Gothenburg (259 miles)
Stockholm (418 miles)
Copenhagen (482 miles)
Hamburg (709 miles)
Tampere (728 miles)
Helsinki (785 miles)
Berlin (842 miles)
Amsterdam (915 miles)
Newcastle upon Tyne (921 miles)
Edinburgh (933 miles)

Schmap.com
About
News & Reviews
Travel Store
Privacy
Terms of Use
Contact Us
© 2008 Schmap, Inc. All rights reserved.