This year we decided to visit Norway. On our flight to Oslo we saw what was going to follow us around for the next 2 weeks – clouds, lots of clouds. From the 25th floor you have a good view of the city.
The Oslo Opera, completed in 2007, is home to the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet. The roof of the building angles to the ground level, creating a large plaza that invites people to walk up and enjoy the panoramic views of Oslo. While much of the building is covered in white granite and La Facciata, a white Italian carrara marble, the stage tower is clad in white aluminum, in a design that evokes old weaving patterns.
A must is the visit to the Viking Ship Museum, displaying 3 wooden, 9th-century Viking ships, plus artifacts recovered from burial chambers as well as the Fram Museum, telling the story of Norwegian polar explorations. Both are located on the peninsula of Bygdøy, a short boat trip from Oslo’s city centre.
We also visited the unique Vigeland Sculpture Park, Gustav Vigeland’s lifework with more than 200 sculptures in bronze, granite and wrought iron. Vigeland was in charge of the design and architectural layout of the park, which was developed between 1939 and 1949.
We enjoyed visits to the Advard Munch Museum and the Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art, located in Aker Brygge right on the harbour.
Three days was too short to see all of what Oslo has to offer. We will have to come back.
