Stortinget, Oslo
The Stortinget building (whose name translates to 'the Great Thing') is the seat of the Norwegian Parliament (Storting).
Initially, the parliament, established in 1814, led a nomadic existence for nearly fifty years, meeting in various locations, including schools and university halls. Eventually, the need for a designated building was recognized, leading to the acquisition of land between the Royal Palace and Oslo East Station in 1857. An architectural competition held in 1856 resulted in the selection of a design by Swedish architect Emil Victor Langlet in 1860, after an earlier red brick, classically Scandinavian design by Schirmer and von Hanno was rejected for resembling a church. Construction began in 1860, and the parliament moved into its new home in March 1866.
Made of yellow brick and light gray granite, the Stortinget architecture combines several styles inspired by French and Italian designs. The opulent interior abounds in red and gold, while on the outside the uniqueness is characterized by the plenary chamber in a semi-circular section at the front (rather than at the center) and arcade-style archways. The building's back mirrors its front.
Initially, the property was considered too large for its purpose, so other government agencies were also housed there. During World War II and the Nazi occupation of Norway, the country鈥檚 parliament fled abroad and the Stortinget was taken over by German forces and administration. Following liberation, from 1951 to 1959, the edifice was fully renovated and a modern four-story building was added at the back.
The approach to the entrance, called 'The Lions Hill' (L酶vebakken), is named after the granite lion statues present there. The Lions Hill is also sometimes used as a metaphorical phrase to refer to the building itself.
Guided tours of Storting are available on a regular basis.
Initially, the parliament, established in 1814, led a nomadic existence for nearly fifty years, meeting in various locations, including schools and university halls. Eventually, the need for a designated building was recognized, leading to the acquisition of land between the Royal Palace and Oslo East Station in 1857. An architectural competition held in 1856 resulted in the selection of a design by Swedish architect Emil Victor Langlet in 1860, after an earlier red brick, classically Scandinavian design by Schirmer and von Hanno was rejected for resembling a church. Construction began in 1860, and the parliament moved into its new home in March 1866.
Made of yellow brick and light gray granite, the Stortinget architecture combines several styles inspired by French and Italian designs. The opulent interior abounds in red and gold, while on the outside the uniqueness is characterized by the plenary chamber in a semi-circular section at the front (rather than at the center) and arcade-style archways. The building's back mirrors its front.
Initially, the property was considered too large for its purpose, so other government agencies were also housed there. During World War II and the Nazi occupation of Norway, the country鈥檚 parliament fled abroad and the Stortinget was taken over by German forces and administration. Following liberation, from 1951 to 1959, the edifice was fully renovated and a modern four-story building was added at the back.
The approach to the entrance, called 'The Lions Hill' (L酶vebakken), is named after the granite lion statues present there. The Lions Hill is also sometimes used as a metaphorical phrase to refer to the building itself.
Guided tours of Storting are available on a regular basis.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Oslo. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Stortinget on Map
Sight Name: Stortinget
Sight Location: Oslo, Norway (See walking tours in Oslo)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Oslo, Norway (See walking tours in Oslo)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Oslo, Norway
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Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
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Old Oslo Walking Tour
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Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
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Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
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