Oslo Cathedral
Oslo Cathedral (Oslo domkirke), formerly Our Savior's Church (Vår Frelsers kirke) is the main church for the Oslo bishopric of the Church of Norway, as well as the parish church for downtown Oslo. The present building dates from 1694-1697. The Norwegian Royal Family and the Norwegian Government use the Cathedral for public events. It was closed for renovation in August 2006 and re-opened with a festive high mass on 18 April 2010.
The current Oslo Cathedral is the third cathedral in Oslo, Norway. The first, Hallvards Cathedral, was built by King Sigurd I of Norway and was located 1.5 kilometers east of today's Oslo Cathedral. For almost 500 years, Hallvards Cathedral was the most important church in the city. After a great fire in Oslo during 1624, King Christian IV decided to move the city a few kilometers west to be protected by Akershus Fortress. Construction of a new church was started in 1632, on the main square in the new city. After that, Hallvards Cathedral fell into disrepair and decayed.
In 1639, the second cathedral was built. This cathedral burnt down only 50 years after it was built, and the current cathedral was built. The current cathedral was erected on a small rocky outcrop in the east end of what would later become Stortorget. The foundation stone was laid in 1694 and the church was consecrated in November 1697.
The Cathedral's lower end is surrounded by the Bazaar, a curved long building with a tower covered in green copper like the Cathedral. The Cathedral, Basarene and Brannvakten are all built in red brick. Both Basarene and Brannvakten were built between the years 1840-1859 from the plans of City Architect, Christian H. Grosch. Art works from recent times in the cathedral include stained glass windows in the choir, west portal's bronze doors, and the silver sculpture with communion scene. The ceiling decorations are by Norwegian painter Hugo Lous Mohr (1889-1970).
Restoration was completed at the time of the city's 900 anniversary in 1950. The church was restored under the plans of architect Arnstein Arneberg. The neo-Gothic interior was removed and the original furnishings brought back. Arneberg also designed the chapel on the south side of the church. The church was closed in August 2006 for renovation and was opened in April 2010.
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Architect |
Arnstein Arneberg Christian Heinrich Grosch |
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Style |
Baroque |
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Category |
church |
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Material |
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brick |
Hint |
Free entrance |
Price | gratis |
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Geographical coordinates | 59.9123190, 10.7469580 |
Address | 0154 Oslo, Karl Johans gate 11 |
More information | official website |