As the capital of Norway, Oslo is home to significant monuments that embrace the culture and history of the entire nation. The most populous city in the nation contains significant landmarks like the largest sculpture park by a single artist in the world. However, it also features a variety of landmarks that are not as large but enable a similar level of engagement with both residents and visitors.
The Tiger is a sculpture residing just outside of Oslo Central Station that has become one of Oslo’s most photographed landmarks. Given to the city as a gift to celebrate its 1,000-year anniversary in the year 2000, the sculpture is a nearly 15-foot bronze tiger made by Elena Engelsen that is connected to the city’s nickname Tigerstaden (“The Tiger City”).
While hundreds of nameless figurative sculptures by Gustav Vigeland define the identity of Fronger Park, his Monument to Abel is focused on a real person. Created to honor the memory of Niels Henrik Abel in 1908, the piece resides in front of the Royal Castle in Oslo. The 19th-century Norwegian mathematician made significant contributions to the field and is the namesake of the Abel Prize in mathematics, awarded annually by the King of Norway to one or more outstanding mathematicians.
Johan Welhaven was a Norwegian author and poet. Mentioned as one of the greatest figures in Norwegian literature, many of his poems deal with nature and folklore but he also became known for poems about religion. A monument that depicts him sitting in deep contemplation resides on the Royal Palace grounds.
An equestrian statue of King Karl III Johan resides outside of the Royal Palace in the middle of Oslo. Unveiled in 1875, it depicts the King of Sweden and Norway from 1818 until his death in 1844. While he was neither Norwegian nor Swedish, the long peace he presided over led to increased prosperity for the entire country.
These are just a few of the obscure and outstanding monuments located across Oslo. As the economic and governmental center of Norway, these landmarks and many others showcase what it means for moments of all types to influence the hearts and minds of audiences across the eras.
