Our main destination on our winter trip to Norway was Oppdal, Norway's largest ski resort. However, along the way, we managed to stroll around Oslo.
The Norwegian capital is a small city; a couple of days is enough to see the main sights.
A Walk Around Oslo
Our train from Oslo left late in the evening, so after leaving our bags at the station, we decided to take a little walk around the city.
Oslo is a beautiful Scandinavian city, with many old buildings and churches preserved. Some say its architecture resembles Helsinki (the center boasts the same Art Nouveau high-rises built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries), while others say it's as cold, austere, and majestic as St. Petersburg.
Former factories and plants in the city center are now being converted into museums and galleries. Incidentally, many of them are completely free to visit. Even if contemporary art leaves you baffled, you can still grab a bite to eat, relax, and warm up (which, by the way, is vital in wintertime Oslo).
Oslo is filled with strange sculptures.
So, in the station square, a huge tiger is wandering among the passers-by.
Karl Johans gate street runs from the station through the entire center to the royal palace.
It's filled with cafes, shops, and, of course, tourists. A small skating rink is also installed in the park on this street in winter.
The hill by the palace park offers views of the city. And in the very center of Oslo lies an ancient cemetery.
Multi-story apartment buildings loom close to the low fence on all sides. Their residents use the cemetery as a park: they come here to walk their dogs and children or simply relax on the benches near the monuments. Ibsen is buried in this cemetery. Despite a detailed map, we never found his grave. Apparently, it was completely covered by snow.
Vigeland Park in Oslo
Having walked through the entire center, we finally reached Vigeland Park.
This vast park, filled with the famous sculptor's works, is one of Oslo's most popular attractions. Admission is free.
Visitors are attracted by these strange and very realistic stone figures.
Although, to be honest, it is very cold to look at all this naked and snow-covered nature in winter.
It was already getting dark, and the lights came on, illuminating the Akershus Fortress on the opposite bank of the harbor. We didn't make it to the fortress, but we did stroll along the embankment.
The restaurants along the shore are probably packed in the summer. In winter, it's deserted: only truly iron-willed people can withstand the cold, piercing wind from the harbor.
Strolling around the city after dark is no longer fun. So, if you have time, you can go skiing at Oslo Vinterpark Tryvann—it's open until 10 PM on weekdays.
And we, having admired the evening city a little more, hurried to the station.
Source: travel.ru