Side Trips from Oslo - Norway - page 179

prize-winning dish indeed, as is his pan-fried seawater crayfish with a crayfish
emulsion. Savor his filet of tuna, or opt for a meat course, none better than the
rack of venison in a tangerine sauce. For dessert, we were recently enthralled by
his caramelized hazelnut-and-pistachio custard. Attached to Solvold's is Smak, a
less formal restaurant, featuring international dishes such as carpaccio, paella,
and sushi.
Thor Dalsgate 9. & 33-46-27-41. Reservations required. Main courses 225NOK-285NOK ($32-$40). AE,
DC, MC, V. Tues-Sat 6-11pm.
9 Eidsvoll: Cradle of Independence
50 miles (80km) N of Oslo
Reached from Oslo via the E6, motorists arrive at Eidsvoll, Carsten Ankers
vagen ( & 63-92-22-10 ), where, on May 17, 1814, the country's constitution
was written after 6 intense weeks. It was the most liberal constitution the world
had ever known, and today is the oldest existing constitutional charter in
Europe.
Even if you're not interested in the political implications of Norway, a visit to
the manor house Eidsvoll-bygningen is worthwhile for its insiderish view of the
lifestyles of the upper crust of the early 1800s.
The two-floor house with 30 rooms was constructed of timber. Portraits of
the members of the 1814 Norwegian parliament are on display here, but far
more intriguing is the collection of objects used to furnish the house, including
a well-stocked library, elegant dining rooms, lavish bedrooms, English antiques,
and murals depicting figures from Greek mythology.
The cast-iron stoves are works of art. The Ankers family, who lived in the
house, also owned the local ironworks, and they insisted on only the best for
themselves.
You can also visit the Room of the Constitutional Committee, where the orig-
inal wooden benches are still in place along with a series of paintings of Norwe-
gian landscapes.
The house is open from mid-June to mid-August daily from 10am to 5pm;
mid-May to mid-June and mid-August to mid-September daily 10am to 3pm;
and mid-September to mid-May Saturday and Sunday 11am to 2pm. Admis-
sion is 40NOK ($5.70).
If you're not driving, you can reach the manor house by taking train no. 450
from the central station in Oslo to Eidsvoll. Trains run every 1 to 2 hours for the
50-minute journey. From here you can take a local bus to the nearby town of
Eidsvoll Verk. The manor house lies 4km (2 1 ⁄ 4 miles) east of the E6 on the edge
of this Eidsvoll Verk.
10 Jevnaker: Norway's Oldest Glassworks
42 miles (790km) NW of Oslo
With the glories of the banks of the Oslofjord behind you, head northwest from
Oslo along the scenic banks of yet another fjord, Tyrifjord, enjoying some of
the best land and seascapes in eastern Norway before arrival at Hadeland
Glassverk , Route 241, Jevnaker ( & 61-31-66-00 ).
In operation since 1762, this is one of the oldest glassworks in Scandinavia.
To launch the company, most of the workers were brought in from Germany.
Until 1814, the company was owned by the king of Denmark and Norway.