Castles to visit Oslo

Since its construction began in 1824, the Royal Palace has been a symbol of Norwegian history and one of the country's most emblematic buildings. Although the original plans called for the palace to be H-shaped, financial problems led to a revision of the plans and the construction of a U-shaped palace. When Charles XIV John of Sweden died in 1844, the palace was clearly too small for the successor's family, so the wings were lengthened. Since 1849, when it was first occupied, the palace has undergone numerous transformations, particularly over the last century. It is now used primarily as a reception area and as the King's official office. This long yellow building, not very imposing in size, is beautifully situated on the Bellevue promontory at the end of the main avenue Karl Johans gate. Changing of the Royal Guard at 1:30 p.m. On June 7th square, a statue of the first king, Haakon, sculpted by Nils Aas, bears a striking resemblance to Giacometti's sculptures (the late king was very tall and skinny). Surrounding the palace is the Royal Park, one of the city's oldest and largest. It was designed in parallel with the construction of the castle, according to the ideal of the time. The guided tour takes in the palace's most beautiful and important rooms: the luxurious suite of King Haakon VII, the Bird Room painted in trompe-l'oeil by Johannes Flintoe, and the Ballroom.