The Oslo City Hall

8-Aug-2013 • Oslo Norway

After the Royal Palace of Oslo, City Hall was our next stop. Visiting this important building reminded us of its Swedish counterpart, Stockholm's City Hall. Both sites by the way host Nobel Peace Prize celebrations. The two buildings had the exact same lobby layout.

Oslo City Hall

Tours to the building were available on a daily basis. But given that it was totally open for visitors to explore and wander in, we didn't see the need to sign up for any. We started out in the lobby just like everyone else did and then worked our way up. I must say, the murals and mosaic paintings were truly eye catching. I loved their colors.

Art could be seen even before anyone entered the building. This fountain was situated on the side.

Then along the walls leading to the main entrance of the building, there were these mix of painting and stone sculptures.

The Warning of Ragnarok

Volund the Smith has Vengeful Thoughts

The Swan Maidens

Embla

The huge mosaic in the lobby of City Hall

The lobby had lots of visitors but due of its sheer size, the area didn't feel suffocating at all. There was a lot of room for everybody to roam and wander in.

This was the mosaic on the opposite side of the lobby.

Another mosaic along a side wall

Inside Oslo City Hall

The Munch Room

The Ceremonial Gallery

The ceiling inside the Banquet Hall

Inside the Banquet Hall

The Banquet Hall was lined with paintings of the Norwegian Royal kings and queen.

This painting of King Harald by Hakon Gullvag was the exact same copy of the one we just saw inside the Royal Palace.

Just as the King Harald painting, Queen Sonja's was also the second copy of the one in the Royal Palace.

I find Hakon Gullvag's painting style absolutely contemporary. Here were two portraits of the Norwegian Royals that seemed to have been splattered with paint to finish the work. I have no doubts the royals have given their stamp of approval for them to be displayed the way they are.