I started into April with visiting Norways beautiful capital Oslo, I had booked a workshop there and decided to stay two days longer to get a first introduction to the city. Just a first short glimpse as I didn´t even do a third of all the things I had have planned, all the more reason to come back and start a norwegian roundtrip from there.
There are almost as many cranes in Oslo as in Berlin – a lot of constructing is going on along the Fjord. The city is opening itself up to “the stunning scenery surrounding the water, making the areas along the shore more accessible and inviting to both residents and visitors” – the Fjord City Project
I had royal neighbours, my airbnb apartment was right next to the royal palace and the gardens in the middle of the city. The perfect place to start walking around and explore Oslo.
Det kongelige slott was built in the first half of the 19th century as the norwegian residence for Charles III who reigned as king of Sweden and of Norway. The royal park was developed at the same time as the palace was built and developed as a “ideal model of natural garden” based on the ideas of the romantic time. And it was open to the public right from the beginning.
The slottet sits on top of Karl Johans gate, the main street of central Oslo. And full of bars, cafés and shops. If you walk just straight ahead Karl Johans gate you´ll arrive at the central train station and the Norwegian Opera and Ballet House (Operahuset). If you turn right you´ll arivver at Aker Brygge – the area around the Fjord which is full of restaurants, shops and this beautiful boardwalk along the sea.
Oslo is the perfect mixture of old and new and a lot green – there are so many parks all around the city and even forests are just a short tramride away. And it´s a beautiful ride up to Ekebergpark with a stunning panorama of the city.
You might have noticed all those statues and art in public spaces – it is absolutely everywhere! On every street, square, park – just everywhere!
