Oslo
8 things to do and see in Oslo and 3 not to doTo explain why countries rich in natural resources are often also the poorest in terms of income, economists have used the formula of the “resource curse” for years. After all, it is enough to look at the war scenarios in the Persian Gulf, or in Libya, to find confirmation of the paradox mentioned above. It must be said, however, that the term also explains something else: it can happen, in fact, that the growth due to the export of a natural resource leads to an excessive increase in wages and social spending, conditions that in the long run negatively affect competitiveness by reducing the advantages. initials. In Norway, Europe's leading oil exporter and one of the top producers in the world, the resource curse has not come true. Indeed, thanks to a shrewd policy of oil exploitation, today the small Scandinavian nation is among those that invest most in energy and environmental sustainability. Oslo is the city where this virtuous spiral it is more evident. The Norwegian capital, in fact, manages to reconcile one cosmopolitan lifestyle with the uncontaminated nature all round. A mix of technological development and environmental protection which on the social level translates into the ability to keep together individual and community growth. In short, almost a dream come true, as the many tourists who choose Oslo every year for their holidays can testify. Below, we see together the main attractions of the city. Happy reading.
1 National Gallery
Oslo is a city famous for its museums. They are many, beautifully kept and testify to the Norwegians' predilection for art and history. Absolutely unmissable is the National Gallery which houses the richest collection of Norwegian art. Obviously, great prominence is given to the paintings of Edvard Munch (1863 -1944), by far the most famous Norwegian artist ever, to whom a personal museum is also dedicated in which all the works not present in the Gallery are placed. "The scream" the most famous painting by Munch is found at number 13 Universitetsgata, address of the Gallery. In February 1994 the work was sensationally stolen by a group of Norwegian anti-abortionists only to be found, three months later, without consequences. In addition to Munch's works, other European artists are also present in the National Gallery in Oslo (part of the larger National Museum), among others: Manet, Renoir, Matisse, Cézanne and Monet. For more information visit: www.nasjonalmuseet.no (English version also available).
2 Vigeland Park
Among the most famous Norwegian artists there is not only Edvard Munch. Also Gustav Vigeland (1869 -1943) he contributed greatly to the fame of Oslo and Norway. The biography of this sculptor reveals the attention that the small Scandinavian nation has always paid to the development of individual artistic talents. In fact, in 1921 the city of Oslo made one available to Vigeland spacious studio where you can devote yourself exclusively to sculpture. In return, the artist undertook to leave all subsequent works to the city, from sketches to finished works. And thanks to this advantageous exchange for both parties, today tourists and residents can admire the Vigeland sculptures in the homonymous park inside the Frognerparken of Oslo. Let's talk about aarea of about 320 hectares in which they are placed more than 200 sculptures of the artist. Most famous of all, a granite monolith over 10 meters, it is located at the top of the highest hill in the park. The sculpture depicts an intertwined mass of 121 human figures, each tense in an individual effort to reach the top. There is not only Vigeland Park. A specific museum space has been set up in memory of the artist. The Vigeland Museum it faces the south entrance of Frognenpark. Finally a curiosity: in the city there is also another Vigeland Museum, dedicated to the less famous but - according to various critics - no less talented, brother Emanuel (1875 -1948). to know more on the Park and the Vigeland Museum visit the place: www.vigeland.museum.no (English version also available).
3 Oslo Cathedral
"Oslo Domkirke" worth a visit to admire the stained glass windows by Emanuel Vigeland (brother of the more famous Gustav) and for i ceiling paintings depicting scenes from the Old and New Testaments. Very beautiful too altarpiece, an eighteenth-century work by the artist Michael Rasch. After a long wandering around the town, the painting, depicting "The Last Supper and the Crucifixion", returned "home" around the middle of the 50s. The Oslo Cathedral is recognizable by the towers that dominate the city sky line (the main one is the one on the left; the middle tower is in the center of the Duomo, while the one on the right is the Chapel tower). On the back of the building, in the summer, they are set up nice craft markets. to know more about the church and the activities that take place there (are held concerts of sacred music) visit the Official site of Oslo domkirken.
4 Akershus Fortress
Even now hosting concerts and theater performances, the Akershus fortress retains its image of military structure. Structure modified and expanded several times over the centuries starting from the distant 1299, the year of foundation by the hand of king Hakon V. The fortress is by far the most important architectural attraction in the city and is a must see for anyone visiting Oslo. It is located on the eastern side of the port and dominates the entire city waterfront. Besides being a artistic and cultural center, it is often used by the authorities for state ceremonies. To see, the Christiania Bymodell, scale reconstruction of the old Oslo (formerly “Christiania”) which developed entirely within the walls of the fortress. Not only. Nearby there are also the Norwegian Resistance Museum with a rich collection of artifacts attesting to the patriotic opposition to Nazism and the Norwegian Museum of Architecture. The latter is an excellent alternative for those who want to go beyond the folkloric and traditional aspects of the Scandinavian nation. Be careful not to forget the camera: the view from the fortress is wonderful and absolutely deserves to be immortalized.
5 Bygdøy Peninsula
Only 15 minutes by ferry (April to October) or 20 by bus separate Oslo from Bygdøy peninsula, a residential area where most of the wealthiest citizens of the already very rich capital live. The quality of life is high from all points of view, not least the tourist one. Not surprisingly, this is where two of the city's most important museums are located. We are talking about the Folklore Museum and Viking Ship Museum. These are two big ones tributes to the Norwegian “genius loci”. The first is an open-air museum with the reproduction of over one hundred traditional buildings from all over the nation. The second, on the other hand, welcomes three Viking ships found during an excavation campaign between the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries in the Oslofjord region, south of the capital. These XNUMXth-century vessels had been pulled ashore and used as graves for some of the most prominent members of this proud sailing community. Together with the men their respective kits were buried (jewels, food, utensils, etc.), the discovery of which allowed, centuries later, the setting up of a very interesting museum space. A precious testimony (together with the faithfully reconstructed ships) ofsymbolic and material universe of this civilization which for over three centuries (from the eighth to the eleventh century) dominated the northern seas. For more information on the two museums visit i sites norskfolkemuseum.no and www.khm.uio.no.
6 Oslofjord
The boat trip of the Oslo fjord and another one an essential step of a visit to the city. obviously the time of year matters a lot. To fully enjoy the attractions and beaches of Hovedøya, Gressholmen, Langøyene etc. touches to come during the summer. Of course, the Oslofjord tour also retains its charm in the other seasons, but they are undoubtedly the summer months those that allow full knowledge of the area with the possibility of sailing from one island to another. In addition to moving independently (to plan travel by land and sea, visit ruter.no/en/) there is no shortage of organized excursions, certainly preferable if the time available is short. In this regard, the place: nyc.no/en. Do not miss the wooden houses on the Drøbak waterfront, among the most famous postcards in the whole of Norway.
7 TusenFryd Park
Oslo is a child-friendly city. Attention to public spaces, greenery, avant-garde sports facilities, everything is also designed for the little ones. TusenFryd Amusement Park is absolutely the ne plus ultra for the kids who here, about ten kilometers from the city center, will find a wide variety of rides and games to spend a day full of fun. There are also attractions for adults, such as the roller coaster with several points in zero gravity. Only downside: the waiting times. The park, in fact, is very popular especially during the summer months (from June to September) which are the ones in which the opening hours are extended compared to the other months of the year. In short, it happens to have to wait a bit before accessing this or that game, but it is absolutely worth it. For more information: tusenfryd.no/no
8 What to eat
"Eat local" is now a mantra of almost all travel magazines, guides and blogs. In the case of Oslo, and Norway in general, one is not disappointed. Absolutely to try salmon, herring e stockfish, without forgetting the equally widespread reindeer meat. After all, for each of these foods, Norway has developed flourishing industrial activities in unsuspected times with an eye above all on exports rather than the domestic market. That said, eating the typical Norwegian cuisine on site certainly represents an added value. This also applies to whale meat, which Norwegians are very fond of. Whaling is another important voice of the national economy even if the practice, although rooted, is deeply opposed, especially abroad. So try the whale fillet it is more complex than mere taste. It invests ethical reasons in defense of which various environmental associations (above all Greenpeace) are mobilized in Norway, Japan and wherever the meat of the cetacean is consumed.
1 Do not drive after drinking
Difficult to say "what not to do" in the Norwegian capital. In fact, Norway jumped to first place in the special list drawn up by the UN which ranks the nations with the highest index of happiness and well-being. Not surprisingly, the "World Happines Report", this is the name of the research, rather than looking at GDP (and also from this point of view Norway plays it at the top) crosses other indicators such as absence of corruption, quality of work, spiritual life, personal freedoms etc. And, speaking of personal freedoms, we must also consider the consumption of alcohol which, especially on weekends, records a significant surge. The Norwegian authorities, however, have decided to take measures to the phenomenon. For heaven's sake no particular prohibition, except for driving. At the wheel, even a beer is too much. So if you decide to go around Oslo by car, keep this aspect in mind, under penalty of very high fines. By the way, ordering a bottle of wine at a restaurant nine times out of ten raises the bill considerably. One more reason not to drink!
2 Beware of visiting Oslo in winter
It is a advice that must be taken with the classic "inventory benefit". It may be that you are passionate about winter sports or, further away, that the atmosphere of that period is what you are looking for, in which case our suggestion does not count for anything. For example, when we talked about the navigation of the Oslo fjord we referred to the town of Drøbak. Well, among the most evocative images of the place there is the one with the ice that invades the marina. That said, it is clear that from May to September Oslo runs much smoother. Not only. Even the colors come alive a lot compared to the gray hood of humidity (which however does not go completely away) typical of winter days.
3 Do not improvise the journey
The trip to Norway cannot be improvised. We have limited ourselves to talking about Oslo but, almost always, tourists decide to use the days available to see even more. In principle the stages are Oslo, Bergen and the wonderful Lofoten islands. In between a tide of excursions, tour, guided tours which is best to plan first. In addition to avoiding going around in circles, perhaps doing the same route twice, for purely economic reasons. In fact, Norway is an expensive destination, and therefore it is advisable to organize yourself in time starting, obviously, from hotel choice.
