Oslo history

Drenched with historic charm, Oslo is the oldest of the Scandinavian capitals and was founded around 1050 by Norwegian king Harald Hardråde. The look of the city was intrinsically shaped by these early founders, as seen in the imposing castle and fortress of Akershus Slott, which was built in the late 13th century by Håkon V Magnusson.

Originally Oslo was a wooden city, but after a roaring fire in 1624 it was burned to the ground. However, keen to rekindle the city's former glory, King Christian IV ordered a rebuild and the city was renamed Christiania in his honour - a name it kept for 300 years.

Perhaps due to these early tribulations, Oslo is not noted for grand architecture. However, much of the city's history can still be seen in medieval buildings like Akershus Slott, which stands across a park from the austere angular bulk of the 1930s-style Rådhus (City Hall). A highlight is the Slott (Royal Palace), which elegantly dominates the view west along Karl Johans Gate past the Storting (Parliament).

As the city grew in size so did its importance as a major financial, military and administrative centre. The subsequent development of shipping, industry and forestry helped give it the dominant role that it still enjoys in the nation's economy.

In more recent years Oslo has undergone further expansion due to a boost in the city's financial standing from the wealth created by the discovery of vast oil reserves in the North Sea during the 1960s. This has prompted a modern architectural face-lift, which is reflected in the development of the bustling docks and the lively retail and leisure sector around Aker Brygge - a transformed former warehouse area along the quay.