Discover Oslo: A City Of Contemporary Architecture And Nature

Discover the best of the architectural avantgarde in Oslo, Norway

One of the most representative spots for contemporary architecture in Oslo is located in Dronning Eufemias Gate, just a 2 minute walk from the Oslo Central Station (Oslo S) and right in front of the Opera Huset (Opera House).

Here you will be astonished by a pleasant walk through contemporary architectural masterpieces, a sequence of palaces with different functions, shapes and the creative use of materials. In the picture above you can see one of the better examples: two high skyscrapers characterized by a captivating design and the presence of a beautiful bridge right in the center.

These buildings are part of the Barcode Project, which is an urban design project consisting of a group of skyscrapers whose combination of shapes and materials gives a complex and refined effect

Enjoy a pleasant walk along a frozen lake

Right after the Barcode Project, following the tram railways you will find the Middelalderparken (Medieval Park), a tiny, nice green area characterized by the presence of a lake and the ruins of St. Mary’s Church. Indeed, in this area lays the ruins of the old town and for this reason new buildings are not permitted. Enjoy a walk along the lake and find an old industrial building and the ruins of St. Mary’s Church.

Saint Mary’s Church was built in about 1050 and it was just a simple stave church. After 50 years, this earlier church was replaced with a brick church that was supposedly one of the most beautiful churches in Norway during the 1300s. It has been renovated many times until a huge fire damaged the structure in 1534.

As you can see in the picture the lake is entirely froze in the winter.

Find a beautiful panorama and human carvings dating back 4,000 B.C

Once you have visited the Middelalderparken (Medieval Park) you are ready for your next stop. Ekeberg Park is a forested park where you can find many species of flora and fauna. Get off at the Ekeberg Park stop for the line 18 or 19 tram to see a beautiful panorama of the Oslo Fjord. From the Ekeberg Park tram stop you will also find the Palace of the Naval Public High School located on a plateau. Along the left side of the palace you can find some carvings dating back 4,000 B.C. These Bronze Age carvings depict scenes of hunting, humans, old weapons, and animals.