Gamle Oslo: exploring the old & the new

Ruins & Modern Sculptures

Ruins of St.Hallvard's Cathedral.

This afternoon I headed out to the district of Gamle Oslo, otherwise know as Old Oslo to take in the sights and stretch my legs. Gamle Oslo is located on the eastern side of Oslo, but also includes several islands in Oslofjord.

Ruins of St.Hallvard's Cathedral.  

St.Hallvard's was Oslo's first cathedral built in the early 1100s. The cathedral is named for Oslo's patron saint, St.Hallvard, who passed away in 1043.

Ruins of St.Hallvard's Cathedral.

Historically, the cathedral was used for royal weddings, burials, and as an important site of pilgrimage. For over 500 years St.Hallvard's was an important religious center for eastern Norway.

  

Ruins of St.Hallvard's Cathedral.  

The cathedral received larger additions over the years, but in 1639 was replaced by the Church of the Holy Trinity in Christiania Square. Following the arrival of the new church, the cathedral had a fire but was later rebuilt. However, over time St.Hallvard's fell out of use and deteriorated.  Stones from the cathedral were later used to make Akershus Fortress. 

 Aerial view of eastern Oslo.

Nearby the ruins of St.Hallvard's is Ekbergparken, home to a sculpture park, ancient ruins, and breathtaking views of Oslo and Oslofjord.

Branches.

Getting to Ekebergparken is easy. You can walk from the city center, or take tram #18 or #19. From one end of the park, you can take the "Mesolithic Climb," which is a hike to the top, with historical placards along the way, to learn how the landscape has changed since the last ice age. 

Ace of Diamonds by Lynn Chadwick. 

Ekeberg means oak mountain, but today there are hardly any oak trees. During the 1600s, oaks were sent to England and Holland to be used in shipbuilding. Atop Ekebergparken is a sculpture park with 40 different pieces scattered throughout the park.

Fideicommissum by Ann-Sofi Sidén. 

I approached the Fideicommissum sculpture from behind, and as I was walking alone I wondered; is that a person or a sculpture when I first saw it from a distance. I thought by the color it was a sculpture, but then as I got closer it made a noise and started "peeing." I jumped and nearly peed myself because I thought it was real!

Photo-op by a little pond.

There weren't many people in the park since it was early in the evening on a Friday and people were still at work. Also, it was a bit cold today, keeping people inside. I enjoyed moving freely about and taking photos without it being so crowded like it would be on the weekends.

Walking Woman by Sean Henry. 

The park had some interesting sculptures scattered throughout the forests.

 View of the islands in Oslofjord.

Since Ekeberg is situated up high, the views from the western side of the park are breathtaking. There are plenty of benches overlooking the city and fjord, making it the perfect spot to take in the sunset.

Anatomy of an Angel by Damien Hirst. 

Throughout the park there are also historical markers for petroglyphs dating back to 4500 BC, burial mounds, cemetery walls, and the remains of agriculture which began in the area around 4000 BC.

Photo in front of the Dance by George Cutts.

Some of the sculptures in the park moved, like the Dance's swiveling poles. Other sculptures are interactive and move and make sounds when you get close enough.

Traveler by Tori Wrånes. 

Sculptures were of all sorts of shapes, sizes, with different imagery, and themes.

The Couple by Louise Bourgeois. 

Not all of the sculptures sat on the ground either. Some were hung in the air or even built into the side of rock.

Sunset over Oslofjord. 

My favorite part about the sculpture park was getting to see the views and be out in nature. I love the forest trails, admittedly more than I loved the sculptures.

Eva by Auguste Rodin.

However, there were some pieces by classical sculptures like Rodin.

 Reflections by Guy Buseyne.

Nearby the sculpture park there is a petting zoo and climbing park for children, museum, and several different restaurants. 

Venus de milo aux Tiroirs by Salvador Dali. 

The park also hosts different concerts and events throughout the year, in addition to guided tours to learn more about the sculptures.

Distant view of Auguste Rodin's Cariatide Tombee á Lúrne.

Gamle Oslo and Ekebergparken blend the old with the new, to give a taste of how the landscape in Oslo has changed over thousands of years. Tusen takk for a great afternoon!