NORWAY - Scandinavia - page 389

ular here). Notice the photos and knickknacks on the wall. At the back of the
café, a mural shows Norway's literary and artistic clientele—from a century
ago—enjoying this fine hangout. On the far left, find Ibsen, coming in as he
did every day at 13:00. Edvard Munch is on the right, leaning against the win-
dow, looking pretty drugged. Names are on the sill beneath the mural.
• For a cheap bite with prime boulevard seating, continue past the corner to
Deli de Luca, a convenience store with a super selection of take-away food
and a great people-watching perch. Across the street, a little park faces Nor-
way's...
Parliament Building (Stortinget): Norway's Parliament meets here
(along with anyone participating in a peaceful protest outside). Built in 1866,
the building seems to counter the Royal Palace at the other end of Karl Johans
Gate. If the flag's flying, Parliament's in session. Today the king is a figure-
head, and Norway is run by a unicameral Parliament and a prime minister.
Guided tours of the Stortinget are offered for those interested in Norwegian
government (free; mid-June-Aug Mon-Fri at 10:00, 11:30, and 13:00; enter on
Karl Johans Gate side, tel. [phone], www.stortinget.no ) .
• Cross over into the park and stroll toward the palace, past the fountain.
Pause at the...
Statue of Wergeland: The poet Henrik Wergeland helped inspire the
movement for Norwegian autonomy. In the winter, the pool here is frozen and
covered with children happily ice-skating. Across the street behind Wergeland
stands the National Theater and statues of Norway's favorite playwrights:
Ibsen and Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson. Across Karl Johans Gate, the pale yellow
building is the first university building in Norway, dating from 1854. A block
behind that is the National Gallery, with Norway's best collection of paintings
(self-guided tour on here ) .
• Facing the theater, follow Roald Amundsens Gate left, to the towering
brick...
City Hall (Rådhuset): Built mostly in the 1930s with contributions from
Norway's leading artists, City Hall is full of great art and is worth touring (see
here ) . The mayor has his office here (at the base of one of the two 200-foot
towers), and every December 10, this building is where the Nobel Peace Prize