Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
such as the
National Gallery,
the
Historical Museum,
(11km/7 miles from Oslo), a major
museum of modern art.
and the
Henie-Onstad
Art
Center
1 The Top Attractions
IN & AROUND CENTRAL OSLO
MUSEUMS
See section 3, “Of Artistic Interest,” for Oslo's many art museums.
Forsvarsmuseet (Armed Forces Museum)
This museum documents Nor-
wegian military history from the dawn of the Viking Age to the 1950s. Guns,
tanks, bombs, and planes are all here, from fighter planes to German tanks left
over from World War II. The weapons and modern artillery are housed in a
19th-century military arsenal. Give yourself 40 minutes to see the museum;
then head to the museum's cafeteria for fortification.
Akershus Fortress, Bygning 62.
&
23-09-35-82.
Free admission. June-Aug Mon-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat-Sun
11am-4pm; Sept-May Mon-Fri 10am-3pm, Sat-Sun 11am-4pm. Tram: 1, 2, or 10.
Historisk Museum (University Museum of Cultural Heritage)
Devoted
to ethnography, antiquities, and numismatics, this museum, operated by the
University of Oslo, houses an interesting collection of prehistoric objects on the
ground floor. Viking artifacts and a display of gold and silver from the 2nd
through the 13th centuries are in the Treasure House. In the medieval hall, look
for the reddish Ringerike Alstad Stone, which was carved in relief, and the
Dynna Stone, an 11th-century runic stone honoring the handsomest maiden in
Hadeland. There's also a rich collection of ecclesiastical art in a series of portals
from stave churches. Grant this museum at least 45 minutes.
Frederiksgate 2 (near Karl Johans Gate).
&
22-85-99-12.
Admission 40NOK ($5.70) adults, 20NOK ($2.85)
students, free for children under 12. May 15-Sept 14 Tues-Sun 10am-4pm; Sept 15-May 14 Tues-Sun
11am-4pm. Tram: 7, 8, 11, or 17.
Kunstindustrimuseet (Museum of Applied Art)
Founded in 1876,
this is one of the oldest museums in Norway and among the oldest applied-arts
museums in Europe. Extensive collections embrace Norwegian and interna-
tional applied art, design, and fashion. Highlights include the 13th-century
Baldishol tapestry and the fashion collection in the Royal Norwegian gallery.
The museum displays pieces of 18th-century silver and glass, as well as an
impressive selection of contemporary Scandinavian furniture and crafts. The
ground floor houses temporary craft and design exhibits. The museum also
schedules lectures, guided tours, and concerts. Allow yourself an hour here.
Café Solliløkken and the museum shop on the ground floor are in rooms
from the 1830s that originally were in a small country house. The cafe offers
light meals, mostly sandwiches and salads, but also some hot Norwegian spe-
cialties every day (most often fish). All its pastries are homemade, and you can
also drop in for drinks, as there is a wide selection.
St. Olavs Gate 1.
&
22-03-65-40.
Free admission. Tues-Wed and Fri 11am-3pm; Thurs and Sat-Sun
11am-7pm. T-banen: Stortinget. Bus: 37.
Mineralogisk-Geologisk Museum (Mineral and Geological Museum)
Attached to the University of Oslo, this museum opened in 1920 and traces the
geology of the world and of Norway in particular. It's visited by all Oslo school-
children, but is of interest to the casual visitor as well. You can, for example, learn
Kids
