Rådhus , City Hall, is one of the most impressive sites in Oslo!!!

Rådhus, City Hall, is one of the most impressive sites in Oslo!!! The twin-towered building was completed in 1950 to commemorate Oslo’s 900th anniversary is filled with mid-century artistic tributes to Norwegian culture and working life.

It took thirty years for the plan to be realized, with a brief pause in construction on the outbreak of World War II, was designed in the Functionalism architectural style. 

On each side of the courtyard is an arcade with 16 exceptional wooden friezes by painter & sculptor, Dagdin Werensskiod (1892 - 1977).  They show the motifs from Norse mythology: the life of gods and the stories of wisdom and love, war and hate, and magnificent visions of the future. 

Each frieze is made of pine deck timber which is glued together into blocks weighing approximately 2,200 lbs. The friezes are saturated with a triple coat of linseed oil, then painted and gilded with gold or silver.  

                                                      

 The Swan Maidens

Three valkyries (those who choose the warriors destined to die in battle), half spiritual, half earthly, come flying as swans and change into three beautiful maidens Alrund, Svankit and Alvit. Three brothers discover them at the beach, carry them off and marry them.

The smith Volund marries Alvit.  After seven years, the swan maidens depart again, Volund remains home awaiting his wife's return.

                                                   

 The Eagle in Yggdrasil

High up in Yggdrasil's branches a powerful eagle is sitting looking far around him and flapping his large wings.  The small squirrel Ratarosk is running down the trunk carrying the eagles's words to the beast of Nidhogg (the one who cuts with malice or evil), who is gnawing at the world tree's root. 

 Warning of Ragnarok

The formidable dog Garm guards the entrance to the underworld kingdom (kingdom of the dead) and warns of the destruction of the old world.  Three cocks crow and warn of the pending battle.  Aisir's golden crested cock, Gullinkambi wakes Oden's heroes, the soot-red cock down in the underworld and the red cock, Fjalar in the world of the giants.

                                                         

Oden on Sleipner

Odin, the most powerful of the gods, is riding this eight-legged Sleipner, the fastest stallion in the world. 

These massive murals on the first floor of Oslo City Hall illustrate the history of Norway of the first part of the 20th century.

 In this hall, the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony is held annually on December 10.

 

The main hall was decorated by two famous Norwegian artists: Henrik Sørensen and Alf Rolfsen. 

 

In one of the frescoes, the pillars of Norwegian identity are represented—fishing, forestry and industry—flanked on either end by explorer Fridtjof Nansen and playwright Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson, both of whom won Nobel prizes. 

 

The mural on this east side of the wall displays the history of the Nazi occupation.

 

  

Besides the grandeur of the murals, the design and craftsmanship of the wool woven fabric for the bench seating is beautifully executed.

Notice how the design and color palette emulate and complement the handsome marble flooring. 

 

 I am so attracted to the different flooring 

 

 

and the lighting 

 

and the ceilings in Rådhus.  

 

 

The stairs leading up to the second floor. 

  

 

The foyer leading into more massive rooms filled with murals, paintings and interesting lighting and flooring...

Magnificent murals on the second floor of Oslo City Hall are by Per Krohg (1889-1965), the Norwegian artist.

 

Murals by Krogh depict scenes related to Norwegian life, culture and history, often featuring a blend of Functionalism and Romanticism artistic styles.   You will find his murals in this room and the one across from the city council gallery.

 

 

This gallery is used for informal political activities relating to city council meetings.  The semi-circular room features beautifully crafted oak furnishings,

an intricate tapestry 

 

 and an unique light fixture, all reflecting classic mid-20th-century Norwegian design.

 

I was really struck by the beauty of this gallery, Krogh's frescoes, "The City & Country" covers every inch of the gallery.  The floor is made of black larikavkite, white ermine and red burmonddal stone.

 

The south wall depicts activities in the city,

 

while the north wall illustrates the surrounding countryside throughout the changing seasons.

 

 

 

At the top of the north wall is an image of a prisoner-of-war camp 

and menacing giant insects symbolize the enemy which acts as a reminder of Norway's occupation and WWII.

 

 "Growth" by Norwegian artist Willi Medelfart depicts an idealized, cheerful scene of people sunbathing, playing and enjoying outdoor leisure activities on a public beach along the Oslo fjord.  Its bright colors and style heavily draw inspiration from the works of Edvard Munch.

 

Also in the “Festgalleriet” (the Ceremonial Gallery), one will see portraits of of King Harald V and his Queen Sonja, King Olav V, and King Haakon VII. 

 

 

In the adjoining gallery, you will find it decorated with tapestries 

and scenes from Norwegian history. 

Again, interesting floor

and gorgeous ceiling.

 

The Edvard Munch room.

 

Titled "Life", Munch's painting represents the various stages of human existence - youth, maturity and old age - gathered around the central motif of "the tree of life".

 

A series of octagonal ceramic reliefs line the walls of the hallway leading into the main hall.

 

This scene depicts a fisherman in a boat surrounded by seagulls.

A plaque depicting the Madonna holding the Christ child who is holding a globe.

 

What an experience to see such murals created over a period of time less than thirty years!  We stayed right in the historic center of town at the Hotel Continental and  Rådhus was less than a ten minute walk from our hotel in the direction of the waterfront.  It is open daily from 9:00am -  2:00pm and free to the public.  I totally recommend adding this to your itinerary next time you are in Oslo!  I know it is on mine again.