The most beautiful religious buildings Oslo

Domkirke Cathedral is one of the most central sites in Oslo and therefore an easy meeting point for many people. It is bound to be in your path! Opened in 1697, this cathedral has retained many of its original features, such as the pulpit, the altar and the remarkable organ case. The stained glass windows, made by Emanuel Vigeland (Gustav's younger brother), are particularly interesting, as well as the ceiling fresco.

The Dominican monastery was built in 1216 in stone, but brick was the predominant material at the time of its renovation in 1300, and its aesthetics were subsequently modified. After the Reformation in 1537, the east wing of the structure became the residence of the Lutheran pastor in charge of the monastery. There is unfortunately not much to see, but these are among the few ruins of the original Oslo, before the new capital Kristiania moved in around the marina. A few meters further on, two other ruin sites are worth a walk.

The cathedral was first built in 1100. In 1130, King Sigurd the Crusader was buried here. Built in Romanesque style as a basilica, it had two rows of columns, a transept and a central tower. It was enlarged in 1260 in a Gothic style and in 1639 it was replaced as a cathedral by the Church of the Holy Trinity. The building soon fell into disrepair and its stones were used for other buildings, including the Akershus fortress. Only the foundations of the cathedral remain visible.

Hovedøya features the ruins of a Cistercian monastery as a reminder of its history. The monastery dates back to 1147, and was founded by English monks from Kirkstead Abbey. Very prosperous during the medieval period, it also belonged to the Norwegian army and was the scene of armed conflicts linked to the succession to the Danish-Norwegian throne. Later, it was used as a stone quarry to build the Akershus fortress. At the heart of the island of Hovedøya lies Klosterkroa. Set in the heart of nature, this timeless café is ideal for a break.