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| City Guide - Oslo - City Overview | ||
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City Overview In a spectacular setting, surrounded by the mountains at the head of a 110km (70-mile) long fjord, ancient Oslo, the oldest of the Scandinavian capitals, was founded by Harald Hådråda in the eleventh century. Following the building of the imposing castle and fortress of Akershus Slott on the headland in the fourteenth century by Håkon V Magnusson, Oslo's importance grew and it developed into a major trading centre to Germany and Central Europe. When the wooden city, which had suffered numerous conflagrations over the years, finally burnt to the ground in 1624, it was rebuilt by Christian IV on its present site within the walls of the fortress to the west of the old city, and named Christiana in his honour. Dominated for centuries by its more powerful neighbours, Sweden and Denmark, Norway finally gained its independence in 1905. Shortly after that, in 1925, the capital reverted to the ancient name of Oslo. The best approach to Oslo is by sea, sailing up the fjord, where shrimpers and small sailing boats jostle with ferries and merchant ships, to where the city sprawls out from the compact centre around the quays to the flanks of the surrounding hills. Although Oslo is not a city full of grand architecture, the city's long history is recalled by the buildings of many centuries. Ancient mediaeval buildings like the Akershus Slott stand across a park from the austere, square bulk of the 1930s Rådhus, which is a stone's throw from the classical pillars of Oslo University or the National Theatre. Oslo's importance had faded over the centuries but the discovery of North Sea oil in recent years has contributed to its resurgence, reflected in the bustling docks and the lively retail sector around Aker Brygge, the glass-fronted shopping centre, which has transformed the old warehouses along the quay. The population of just under half a million is still small for a major city, but with a vibrant city life of late-night shopping, crowded cafés, pubs and restaurants, and theatres playing to full houses, this small capital has developed a cosmopolitan feel. The climate in Oslo is surprisingly mild for its latitude. Summer temperatures are around 20ºC (68ºF), while in winter it falls to just below freezing. Mid-winter is depressingly dark and gloomy, but there is always snow for skiing on the numerous ski trails close to the city. In contrast, Norwegians live mainly outdoors in the long summer days when the sun drops briefly below the horizon and it never gets truly dark. The summer temperatures are perfect for exploring the parks and hiking paths or relaxing on the beaches of the fjord. There is nothing that Oslo can do about the dark winters but it has certainly transformed its dull, small-town parochial image in recent years, without losing the comfortable informality. Liberalised drinking laws have opened up the nightlife and oil money has provided support for the arts and culture, making it once again a thriving and vibrant city. |
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