Oslo Off The Beaten Path

Oslo was pretty banged up during the Second World War, and large patches of the city were reconstructed in the forties and fifties. More recently, significant sections of the reconstructed bits have been modernized, with the overall effect being that Oslo doesn't really seem like an old city at all. Some of the recent architecture is quite interesting, such as this structure, the Ibsen House complex, which straddles a section of highway and is designed to resemble a pair of books open to one another.

There is a lot of islands out in the Oslo fjord. It is great to get on to one of the boats and get around in the Oslo fjord.
You can decide if you want to just stay in the boat and travel around to see the fjord from the boat. Or you can take one of the local transportation boats and jump off at one of the beautiful islands.
If the weather is fine it is great to go swimming out here.

Of interest to history freaks (and students) and simply to those of you folks who would like to know more about Oslo and how it looked like not years, but centuries ago. The Christiania Bymodelljust – a small museum few people ever pay attention to – situated just outside the northern wall of the fortress, features a model of the old city and a multimedia display of its history. It's open noon to 5 pm in summer, though it is closed Monday. Entrance fee is Nkr30.

During the World War II the Nazis used Akershus castle/palace as a prison (did they know about outcast noblemen and cubbyholes, or was it just a general idea conveyed by the place??) and execution grounds, and today, quite logically so, it's the site of Norway's Resistance Museum, providing a vivid account of German occupation and the Norwegian resistance against it. The museum is open daily all year round, from 10 am (Sunday from 11 am) to 5 pm in summer, to 3 pm in winter. Entrance fee is 25 Norwegian Krone.

Vigeland-Parken is a big park with all sorts of strange statues and sculptures.Men,women and children are shown in strange or funny scenes...

It is worth a visit, but you need some time to get accustomed to that sort of sculptures.

Ankerbrua (Anker Bridge) is a stone bridge built in 1926. In 1937 sculputes inspired by scenes of fairytales (Kvitebjørn kong Valemon, Per Gynt på reinsdyret, Veslefrikk med fela and Kari Trestakk ) made by Dyre Vaa were added to it. That made it be known as "Eventyrbrua" (Fairytale Bridge). It's my absolute favourite place in Oslo! And in a twisted sort of way, if you cross this incredible bridge during the night you'll be struck by the irony of life - under the bridge of dreams, the junkies burn their stones...

When in Oslo you might be advised against the East bit of town (Grünerløkka, Grønland...). But oh man don't you make the big mistake of taking that advice! There is nothing like those areas! They are definetely the best for me! They're immigrant aread ans therefore full of food stores, art galleries, different shapes and cultures interacting! Mainly inhabited by foreigners and young people starting their lives, that's the feeling you catch in the breeze!

Many restaurants and cafe - a promising nightlife, a beautiful daywalk! When in Oslo, LIVE LA VIDA LØKKA!!!

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Français:
Le Musée des Navires Vikings où sont exposés les navires funéraires d'Oseberg, de Godtsad retrouvés au début du siècle à quelques kilomètres, enfouis sous un tumulus d'argile, comme l'exigeaient les coutumes de l'époque. Des trois navires mis à jour, celui d'Oseberg est incontestablement le plus beau et le plus épargné des ravages du temps