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Click "DOWNLOAD" and "START" to open the map. You can use free wifi on board. Wifi: HoponWifi / Password: Hopon12345. The stories start automatically when we pass the various places as long as it is not in sleep mode, and you can still use the phone for pictures, calls, etc.
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Welcome to this fantastic tour taking you from the heart of Oslo, past the Frogner Park, and up to Holmenkollen, Roseslottet, and Tryvann. The bus stops at Roseslottet where you will be greeted by a professional guide who will show and convey the history behind nearly 300 artworks. Sit back comfortably, fasten your seatbelt if you like, and enjoy the ride. The stories start automatically when we pass the various places as long as it is not in sleep mode, and you can still use the phone for pictures, calls, etc.
We are now moving over the Akerselva river flowing beneath us, stretching all the way through Oslo and flowing out between the Munch Museum and the Opera House. The city is, in many ways, founded on the significance of this river: first as a source of drinking water and food, then as a timber rafting route, providing energy for mills and countless factories. Today, the timber and factories are gone, replaced by residential buildings, shops, and offices. But the river flows as much as before, undoubtedly one of Oslo's most beautiful attractions. A walk along the river is like disappearing into a small fairy-tale world filled with peace, birdsong, and many small and large treasures along the way.
In front of us, we now see Jernbanetorget, or Railway square. In the 17th century, it was a hub for boats! Today, the boats have been replaced by buses, trams, subways, and trains. The area was named Jernbanetorget after the railway between Oslo and Eidsvoll opened here as Norway's first railway line in 1854. Jernbanetorget is busier than ever before. Here, a whole world meets on their way to work, shopping, dinner, theater, or sightseeing. If you look towards the fjord, you will see Oslo Central Station and the Norwegian Opera. In the opposite direction lies the famous and fashionable shopping center, Oslo City.
We are now passing Oslo Cathedral, completed in 1697. This beautiful church serves as an open sanctuary for everyone in the city, where they can light a candle for a better world, attend services, or cultural events. The church is the national cathedral and is used by the royal family and the state for official events such as weddings and funerals. When terrorism struck Norway on July 22, 2011, here in Oslo and on Utøya where 77 people were killed, mostly young people, the square in front of the cathedral was transformed into a sea of flowers as a symbol that peace shall prevail.
Oslo turned 1000 years old in the year 2000, and the city's history is a colorful saga of continuous growth and change. It all began in the 11th century with Viking settlements at the innermost part of the Oslo Fjord, later evolving into an important trading hub throughout the Middle Ages. It became Norway's capital around the year 1300 when Akershus Fortress was established, and gradually, the city became a center for political, economic, and cultural activities. The city has experienced conquests, reigning kings from various countries, occupations, and fires, but it has risen again and again in new and better form. After the fire in old Oslo in 1624, the King of Denmark and Norway, Christian 4, founded a new city named Kristiania. It would take 300 years until 1925 before the city changed its name back to Oslo. Popularly, it is proudly referred to as the Tiger City, because the city is a bit like the elusive tiger, both attractive and a little frightening.
We will soon drive around Campus Sentrum, which is the old part of the University of Oslo established in 1811. Here, you'll find the Faculty of Law, the library, and the Cultural History Museum. In the middle of the campus towards Karl Johans gate lies Universitetsplassen, which is also a stop for this bus. Today, the university has grown to several campus areas scattered around Oslo and has evolved into one of Europe's leading universities with approximately 30,000 students and 7,000 employees. Three researchers, Odd Hassel, Ragnar Frisch, and Trygve Haavelmo, were all employed at the University of Oslo and have received the prestigious Nobel Prize for their research. As we round the corner, we will pass the Professor's Residence and the University Garden with Slottsparken on the opposite side.
We are now rounding the intersection between "Karl Johans Street" and the Royal Castle, which stretches from where we are driving now all the way down to Jernbanetorget and Oslo S. Along the street are prominent institutions such as Oslo Cathedral, the Basarene with the Fire Watch, the Parliament Building, the National Theatre, and the University Buildings, where we are stopping between the latter two, just about now. Here, we will make a brief stop!
This tour takes you to Holmenkollen and Roseslottet, The Rose Castle, where you will learn more about the tragic war years from multiple perspectives. In Norway, the alarm sounded on the night of April 9, 1940, when hostile ships were observed heading towards Norway. There was just enough time for Oscarsborg Fortress in the Oslofjord to man cannons and torpedoes. When Hitler's flagship, the Blücher, passed the fortress, it was hit by several torpedoes, forcing the ship and far over 100 soldiers into the dark depths of the fjord. Meanwhile, hostile forces attacked along the entire Norwegian coast from both sea and air. The goal was to occupy Norway, surprise the authorities, and capture the king and government. The courageous torpedoing of the Blücher delayed the invasion of Oslo by several hours, allowing the king, prime minister, and government to flee north before the soldiers reached Oslo. They went on to London and continued the fight from there until liberation on May 8, 1945. They not only led the liberation of Norway but also the massive Norwegian merchant fleet, which contributed greatly to liberation from the world's greatest despot.
It is estimated that we have 10 billion trees in Norway. We are now passing around 1500 of them, and behind the lush skyline of trees lies the Royal Palace surrounded by the green oasis, Palace Park. Here, you can unwind and enjoy beautiful gardens, colorful flowers, lovely sculptures, bird chirping amidst the pulsating life of the city. The Royal Palace is located at the end of the old parade street, Karl Johans gate, and every year on May 17th, the king and his family stand on the palace balcony waving to tens of thousands of cheering children with Norwegian flags. May 17th in Norway is the National Day celebrating Constitution Day and the country's independence. The day is marked with parades, flags, bunads (traditional costumes), and festivities across the country. Children and schools participate in processions with marching bands, and it is common to eat ice cream and hot dogs. Oslo is particularly known for the children's parade passing by the Palace. May 17th is a day filled with national pride, traditions, and joy for people of all ages.
Norway's longest shopping street If you smell something burnt, I can reassure you and say that there's no issue with the bus. The smell likely comes from all the credit cards being swiped every second in these busy neighborhood streets. We are now moving through the Mecca of shopping, and here the credit cards are easily swiped. The stretch of Hegdehaugsveien/Bogstadveien is Norway's longest shopping street, stretching from the the royal Palace to Majorstua. They call themselves a "multibrand" shopping street with traditional High-End stores known for their selection of exciting, exotic, and exclusive shops. Here you can enjoy food and drinks from lands far beyond Norway's borders while soaking up the urban spirit and atmosphere that hangs over the neighborhood. The side streets also offer a rich selection of shops along with cozy, romantic sidewalk cafes you would otherwise only find in Paris.
Norway is one of the world's richest countries per capita, and according to many, it's thanks to the oil resources off the coast. What is now called the Norwegian oil adventure began in the 1960s when oil was discovered in the North Sea. Norway quickly developed into one of the world's leading oil and gas producers, with major oil fields like Ekofisk, Statfjord, and Troll. The revenues have contributed to significant economic growth, with the surplus collected in a fund called the Oil Fund. It is now one of the world's largest funds, owning almost 1.5 percent of all listed companies globally. The revenues from Norwegian oil have meant a lot for our country, but one day the oil will run out. The purpose of the Oil Fund is to ensure that we use our money responsibly, think long-term, and thus secure the future of the Norwegian economy. You might be wondering how much money is in the Oil Fund? Click on the link below to see the balance, which changes every second.
This area is called Majorstuen (Major's Cabin), named after a major who lived in a solitary wooden house here in the 1700s. At that time, only a few thousand people lived in Oslo. It wasn't until the late 1800s that the area from Majorstuen down to the city center was built up with commercial and rental buildings, as they are still used for today. Back then, there was no Zara, Tesla, Burger King, or mobile phones where people get their news on Twitter, X, or Tik-Tok. Nonetheless, the streets were just as busy, with the Tesla being a shod horse on one horsepower, Burger King replaced by the local butcher, and news shouted out in tabloid words by eager newspaper sellers. And then there were the children. They played in the streets among clotheslines, horse dung, cats, and singing housewives. So, there are old good stories lurking behind every corner here. Fine stories of solidarity, hard work, closeness, and love. Fine stories of times gone by.
Since the end of the Viking Age, Norway has been founded on a Christian, Protestant worldview. It became mandatory to bury loved ones in consecrated ground. Today, all deceased are placed in a coffin, usually buried in the earth, but sometimes cremated and placed in an urn. These urns must be buried within six months of cremation. We are now passing by Vestre Gravlund, Norway's largest cemetery. In a dedicated area, war graves from World War II lie. Soldiers from the Soviet Union, the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Yugoslavia, France, and the USA are buried here, along with a grave for unknown soldiers. In the center of the cemetery lies the war grave for the British Commonwealth. In the past, class distinctions extended beyond death. The goal was to be buried as close to the church as possible, preferably under the church floor. The poor had to lie farthest away, and criminals preferably outside the churchyard walls. Today, class distinctions have disappeared, and here at Vestre Gravlund, anyone can apply to be buried. Cemeteries in Norway are open to the public and offer a serene space for reflection and contemplation.
You may have heard of the Olympic flame? Before the Winter Olympics in Oslo in 1952 and Squaw Valley in 1960, the flame was lit and transferred by torch relay at the smallholding of Øverbø in Morgedal, where skiing pioneer Sondre Norheim was born. The Olympic flame is a symbol of peace borrowed from the ancient Olympic Games. It is first lit at the main arena during the opening ceremony of the Olympics and burns for the duration of the Games. It was first used at the Amsterdam Olympics in 1928. Starting from the Summer Games in Berlin in 1936, the flame has been transmitted by a torch relay from Olympia in Greece, where the torch is lit using a parabolic mirror and sunlight. The flame was lit in Morgedal for the third time before the Lillehammer Olympics in 1994, but as a supplement to the official relay from Olympia. The torch relay from Morgedal in 1952 ended at Bislett Stadium in Oslo, where the Winter Games were opened by Princess Ragnhild.
In this area, we find Montebello with three roads, Morgedalsveien, Sondrevegen, and Nordheimsbakken, all named after perhaps Norway's greatest skiing pioneer, Sondre Norheim. He was born in the small village of Morgedal in Telemark and was a Norwegian skier popularly known as the "father of modern skiing," with Morgedal often referred to as the "cradle of skiing." While these designations are now considered exaggerated, Norheim was undoubtedly a pioneer in ski jumping and cross-country skiing. Sondre Norheim was considered the foremost skier in his home district in the 1860s. He made his skiing technique known in the capital area when he won a ski race with both cross-country skiing, ski jumping, and slalom here in Oslo in 1868. He used short skis, reportedly with a waist bend and fastened with heel bindings.
You might be old enough to remember the time when we only had a few TV channels, and television became a focal point for both news, entertainment, experiences, and some genuine moments. TV moments! Everyone in the world who experienced the moon landing perhaps remembers it as the greatest TV moment. In Norway, we have many such moments. Grown men still cry when they recall the broadcasts from the Football World Cup in Marseille in 1998 when Norway beat Brazil 2 - 1. Others may remember better Oslo woman Grete Waitz winning the New York Marathon year after year, or when Johan Olav Koss swept the board in speed skating at the Lillehammer Olympics in 1994. But the greatest TV moment was probably when Brå broke his pole. And now, probably all Norwegian men over 50 will nod in acknowledgment. During the Ski World Championships in Holmenkollen in 1982, Norwegian cross-country skier Oddvar Brå broke his ski pole in the final sprint and lost the lead, but he got a new pole, caught up with the competitor, and still managed to win the gold. If you happen to meet a Norwegian over 50, you can ask where he was when Brå broke his pole. I bet you'll get affirmative answers. Just try? And in the meantime, you can perhaps recall your own greatest TV moment
Imagine standing at the top of the ski jump here in Holmenkollen. Far below, you can glimpse nearly a hundred thousand excited spectators blowing into cow horns, cheering, and waving banners and flags. Just a few meters away, camera lenses are focused on your face, where nervous sweat droplets pop out of your skin like monsoon rain in Asia and are broadcasted to screens worldwide. Then it becomes silent! As silent as a mouse! Then you launch off the inrun, and with each meter you glide, the sound from the crowd increases by two notches, and as you dive off the edge of the jump, the sound, or rather the roar, reaches its crescendo, best compared to the sound of a Formula 1 car passing you at close range. The roar is called the "Kollen Roar". The audience in Holmenkollen has a reputation for being the world's best. And the brand is, therefore, the powerful, unified Kollen Roar. And do you want to try? Then just start roaring as loud as you can!
The beautiful view that unfolds up these sharp hairpin bends is enjoyed by the residents every single day. You can see the tower of Oslo Cathedral towering in the city center, and if you turn your gaze towards the waterfront, you can surely glimpse both the opera house, Aker Brygge, and the boat terminals. The Oslo Fjord stretches as far as the eye can see, past islands, islets, rocks, Nesoddtangen, and Drøbak, and doesn't stop until it reaches the Skagerrak.
We have now moved approx. 300 meters above sea level and soon passes the fashionable Holmenkollen restaurant which was originally built as a sports hall for young people in 1892. The lovely view, the proximity to the ski arena and good food have made the restaurant a landmark in the city. The Nazis established the Holmenkollen camp in the area above and built a large crew barracks next to the restaurant.
We are now approaching the Holmenkollen National Arena with the world-famous Holmenkollbakken ski jump, where the best jumpers reach around 140 meters. The entire area was once dedicated to Nordic disciplines such as ski jumping, cross-country skiing, combined events, and biathlon, but today, it's a vibrant destination year-round for numerous other activities as well! The ski slopes and the smallest ski jumps are open to the public all year round, and mostly completely free. You can see the finish area of the cross-country ski stadium, the shooting range for biathletes, and the ski museum located between the Holmenkollbakken and the Holmenkollen Chapel, which is a highly popular backdrop for international media channels. The chapel is also used by the Royal Family. On the opposite side of the road, overlooking the city center, lies Midstubakken with a hill record of over 110 meters and several other ski jump hills for beginners.
You see them everywhere! The Norwegians! Who are these people who live up here in the cold north? Norwegians are renowned for their love of nature and outdoor activities, often spending weekends in cabins, hiking in the mountains or skiing in the winter. With a strong sense of community, they value equality and social welfare. Their rich cultural heritage includes traditional music, literature, and folklore, reflecting a deep connection to their Viking past. And potatoes! All Norwegians love potatoes! This may be in line with your impressions of Norway. Agree?
We are soon passing one of Oslo's most prestigious places, Frognerseteren. Here, guests can relax, enjoy nature, the view, and the tranquility, and treat themselves to a fine meal at either Kafe Seterstua or Restaurant Finstua. This entire area was originally a mountain pasture belonging to Frogner Manor down by Vigeland Park, hence the name Frognerseteren.
We are now approaching the open-air art center, "Roseslottet", or the Rose Castle. Here you will be met by a guide who will give you good information and help. Roseslottet provides a cafe, toilets and some souvenirs. We wish you a nice tour and we have the bus ready for your return when you have finished.