Oslo

:This article is about the capital of Norway. For other meanings of Oslo, see the disambiguation page

Cityscape

There is a sharp east-west division in Oslo, with the little river Akerselva forming the boundary. Workers traditionally lived in the east, whereas the middle class and the rich would live in the west. This pattern is still very much alive, creating very distinct quarters, with the richer population still living in the west, and immigrants making up a large part of the residents in the east.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The city's parade street is called Karl Johan, after King Karl XIV Johan of Sweden and Norway. It links the central railway with the royal castle, passing the Parliament, the green space of Studenterlunden, the University of Oslo and the National Theatre. This is where osloites like to spend time, and it's excellent for people-watching, shopping and for barhopping. Towards the seaside, the renaissance city is found, rebuilt after the 1624 fire. This is an area of 17th to 19th c. architecture, but the number of banks etc. makes it rather dead at night. Further down again, jutting into the fjord, you find the Akerhus Castle and Fortress, with historical sights, views and lots of greenery. The Oslo City Hall sits moumentally between the fjord and Karl Johan. Aker brygge is an exclusive, seaside shopping arcade and bar area built in the old shipyards of Oslo, close to the centre. Oslo's cathedral from 1699 is situated uptown from Karl Johan. Close to the railway station, the new opera is under construction.

Related Topics:
Karl XIV Johan - Sweden and Norway - Studenterlunden - University of Oslo - National Theatre - Akerhus Castle and Fortress - Oslo City Hall - Aker brygge

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The area to the east of the railway station, called Grønland, is home to Oslo's largest immigrant settlement, and offers exotic shopping and spicy, inexpensive cuisine. Further east, in the "Old City", remnants of medieval Oslo abound, surrounded by quaint workering class homes from the 19th century. Other parts of the old East End include Vålerenga and Kampen, both inhabited by a mix of the original working class population, immigrants and young people.

Related Topics:
Grønland - East End - Vålerenga - Kampen

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Grünerløkka, a 20 minute walk north of the centre, is an old worker's quarter which recently has been gentrified with many shops, bars and restaurants, and the inhabitants are young and well-educaded. Oslo's fashionable west end is found west of the Royal Palace, with exclusive shopping in the Bogstadveien street. This area has 19th century architecture and contain most of the embassies and chic restaurants and bars.

Related Topics:
19th century - Architecture

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The east-west pattern repeats itself in the residential areas. The so-called "Outer west" is largely made up of villas and exclusive apartments for the wealthy. The most well-to-do areas include the peninsula of Bygdøy and the area near the Holmenkollen ski jump. The valley of Groruddalen in the north is filled with uniform blocks of apartment complexes built in the 1960s and 70s, and are inhabited by middle- and low-income families. The eastern hills are mostly residential suburbs consisting both of apartment blocks and individual houses, along the edge of the Østmarka forest. All areas are safe to walk, and there is no particular slum area.

Related Topics:
Villa - Bygdøy - Holmenkollen - Ski jump - Groruddalen - 1960s - 70s - Østmarka

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~