Oslo Outing

We set out on foot Tuesday after settling in our hotel. The Royal Palace and Palace Park were very near our hotel so we went there first. The Palace Park is a beautifully landscaped park with flowers, trees and ponds. I think there were even beekeeping hives. The Palace itself is a mansion like structure with Royal Guards posted around the perimeter.

(click on pictures for an enlarged view)

Royal Palace

Palace Guard

Palace park landscaping

From the Palace we walked along Oslo's main street, Karl Johans gate. It runs from the Palace to the Ostbanehallen, bordered by city parks on one side and shops, restaurants, and outdoor cafes on the other. The parks are full of statues of historical figures and works of art.

Karl Johans Gate

Outdoor Cafes

City Park art

Statues

Fountain and statues

We veered off the main street to visit the Oslo Cathedral. We couldn't enter but walked around the grounds. Behind the cathedral is a semi-circular courtyard that looks like it once belonged to the church but now contains restaurants and cafes.

Oslo Cathedral

Cathedral courtyard

Courtyard restaurant

Back on Karl Johans, we followed it down to the Ostbanehallen which is an indoor mall and food court occupying the old Oslo central train station.

Ostbanehallen

Main hall food court

Food court restaurant with conveyor belt sushi

Next we found our way to the waterfront to see the Oslo Opera House, an impressive piece of modern architecture. It is designed with a unique sloping roof that starts at ground level and allows visitors to walk on it all the way up to the highest level. We declined the opportunity.

Oslo Opera House

Opera house roof access

Opera house interior

Opera house interior

We followed the waterfront to the Akershus fortress and entered for a look around. At the opposite end of the fortress we found the statue honoring Franklin D. Roosevelt for helping the Norwegian queen and her children escape Norway during WWII.

Akershus fortress

Akershus fortress

Cannons

Cannoneer

FDR

Continuing along the waterfront we came to the Nobel Peace Center which was closed for the day. We hope to return there Wednesday. This completed our circle tour of central Oslo, and we made our way back through the Palace park to our hotel for dinner.
(Late edit: We walked over 20,000 steps while sightseeing Tuesday)

Nobel Peace Center

Hotel

Hotel restaurant