Oslo Rådhus and harbour

Walking towards the waterfront, the Oslo Rådhus was a surprising find. We came upon thr building from the west, and circled it to get to the impressive main facade. The courtyard contains 16 wooden friezes by Dagfin Werenskiold showing scenes from Norse mythology and the Poetic Edda. Inside, the building is a riot of colour and murals, and is both beautifully kept and freely accessible. Over the road, the Amundsen Bryggeri was a micro-brewery, and so we swallowed the Norweigan prices for a lovely lunchtime beer. We had planned on visiting the nearby National Museum, but feeling we'd seen plenty, we passed this by and the Nobel Peace Centre, visiting the more-than-700-years-old Akershus Fortress which has never been taken by a foreign enemy. Although Quisling was both proclaimed "Minister President" here during World War II, and subsequently shot as a traitor to Norway here after the war. The fortress had beautiful views over the Oslofjord. Leaving via the 17th Century drawbridge, we finished our 12km walk as we headed back to the ship only an hour or so before darkness falls at about 4pm.Read more