Oslo Off The Beaten Path

Sonja Henie (1912-1969) was a very popular Norwegian figure skater who became a Holywood celebrity in the 1930s, making a series of musical spectacles in a short film career. She was only 15 when she won her first gold medal in the 1928 Olympics, going on to repeat her accomplishment in the 1932 and 1936 Olympics as well. She was a successful entrepreneur as well, parlaying her fame into a series of successful businesses. At the time of her death, she was reported to be one of the ten wealthiest women in the world!

She was originally from Oslo (Christiania as it was then) and her first victories were at the stadium in Frogner, so it's appropriate that she is remembered there. The statue is just off Kirkeveien.

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I just love them.This couple is made that way that they seems like freezed in the moment.So realistic.It's placed in front the one of the restaurants at Aker brygge.

The other one is the guy in the water that i found amazing.

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As i already mentioned I was amazed with numbers of sculptures I saw in Oslo.Here are 2 of them that are in the street at Aker brygge.Some friends told me that men like to take photos with them because of the position of hands of one statue,so when the guy stands next to it imagine where is it's hand placed :-)

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This excursion involves three stops on tram line 19, direction Ljabru, south up a mountain. Best on a sunny or partly sunny day.
1) Stop Gamlebyen (Old Town) - Old Oslo Ruins
Oslo started about 950, but was destroyed by fire about 1510. It was rebuilt on a location about 10 km west. I visited the park at the stop which contains ruins of the original Oslo-- cathedral, churches, monastery. The foundations were of stone and survived the fire. To see more church ruins, go south, turn right at the intersection, and cross the road about 15m (50 ft) west. The first ruin is close to the street. Walk along the path for other ruins. The last is past the bridge.
2) Stop Sjomannsskolen - Harbour View and Monument
Cross the highway and view the monument of a warrior , holding a woman, on a racing horse. There is no identification. I don't know whether she is being saved or abducted. Past the monument is a great view of Oslo harbour and city.
3) Stop Jomfrubraten - Stone Age Carvings
The carvings are on a large boulder, just across the main road. The rock is fairly flat,, about 3x3m (10x10 feet), at an angle of about 25 degrees. There are about a dozen individual carvings of animals and symbols, coloured in a red said to be the same as the original. Unfortunately they did not photograph well as it was a cloudy day.

In front of the Aker Brygge you can find this nice Clock Lighthouse. From this point you can see very well all Pipervika and Akershus Festning. It is a good place when there isn't the ferry to Bygdoy and Oslogjorden that stop in front of the clock.

Around 1000 years ago Oslo was born in what now is the ruins of Middelalderparken (Medieval park). This is a nice area to visit if you're interested in architecture and the history of Oslo. The park is an environment-friendly area so please remember to take your litter away.

The park is also a popular area for festivals and concerts, for example the Øya Festival which is held in the beginning of August each year.

The area around Middelalderparken is called Gamlebyen, which is about a 10 minutes walk from the Central Station (Oslo S). You can also take tram No.18 or 19 or bus No.34, 45, 46, 70 or 85 from Central Station to St. Halvards Plass. The park is close by.

In Baerum just outside Oslo you can walk up the hill to Kolsåstoppen. The walk can be a bit rough but it will defenitly be worth it once you get to the top. From here you have a fantastic view over Oslo, the fjord and the surrounding areas. Don't forget to bring some snacks and something to drink.

Beneath the Kolsåstoppen there have been found rock carvings from around 1500 BC.

Kolsåstoppen is also a very popular place for climbing, so if this is your passion - bring your gear!

Ask at Trafikanten by the Central Station (Oslo S) how to get to Baerum.

A 10 minutes walk from the central station is Grünerløkka, an area that used to be inhabited by artists of all kinds. Nowadays it's probably the most trendy and young place to live in in Oslo, with small designers' boutiques, second hand shops, cafes and restaurants. Some of the cosiest cafes are hidden in small (and sometimes oh-so-dark) alleys, so grab a map and go cafehunting!

One thing to bare in mind though, is that Grünerløkka might not be very safe to be alone in at night so if you have to walk alone, keep yourself to the main streets with.