Home to the Oslo City Council and numerous galleries and studios, the Oslo City Hall (or Radhus) showcases the city’s political and cultural sides. It is widely considered one of Oslo’s architectural gems, winning the 2005 vote for Oslo’s "Structure of the Century."
Planning for City Hall began in 1915 and served a dual purpose: not only establishing an Oslo City Hall, but also replacing the old Oslo harbor slums. The building exemplifies a changing mentality in Norwegian architecture at the time, combining native romanticism, functionalism, and classicism.
Once inside, the building contains the Festival Gallery, complete with a stunning view of the harbor side, the East Gallery, with Petr Krohg’s stunning mid 20th century frescoes, “The town and its surroundings,” Banquet Hall, and Central Hall, with a mural of Oslo’s patron saint, St. Hallvard.
Oslo City Hall is located on Pipervika in central Oslo, close to many of the city’s other important landmarks, including the Royal Palace, Karl Johan’s gate, the Oslo Cathedral, Nobel Peace Center, and the Ibsen Museum.
You will not have a hard time finding it, minutes away by public transportation on either the metro to Nationaltheatret or Stortinget, or by the 12 tram that surfs along the harbor.
