some summer scenes from Oslo

prehistoric playground

grønland graffiti

newly planted living high-rise wall section

Oslo Spektrum Arena section

Oslo Spektrum Arena exterior tile detail

section of the facade of the newly expanded Oslo Spektrum

fountain/sculpture Kilden (the source) from 1972
here's some history from this place called kirkeristen. when the cathedral was built in the late 1600s it was surrounded by a park where animals would graze. as was customary a cemetery was established in one section of the park with a wall to keep the animals out. from the early 1700s there was a footbridge over the cemetery wall functioning as a cattle grid to keep animals out. that bridge was called kirkeristen. after an outbreak of cholera in 1805 the cemetery was disused. the only remaining grave by the cathedral is of the priest of that time and his wife.

Oslo's first fire station was established in the former cemetery chapel. their watchtower was the highest point in town, none other than the cathedral belltower.

the devil of Oslo when St.Hallvard's cathedral was built in the 12th century, Oslo was not the capital of norway. it was a much smaller town. in 1624 there was a huge fire which destroyed most of Oslo so the area, including the cathedral was abandoned. a new town was built to the west, called Christiania where a new cathedral was erected, completed in 1697. the old St. Hallvard's Cathedral fell in ruin but this sculpture was recovered from it and placed in a wall of the priest's entrance of the new cathedral, now called Oslo Domkirke- Oslo Cathedral. much later the sculpture was moved to it's more conspicuous present location where it looks a bit out of place, like an afterthought at a corner at the base of the tower. it's a grotesque dramatic symbol of a man being devoured by either a bear or a lion on one side and a reptilian dragon on the other. the symbolism of humans being preyed upon and eaten by reptilians can be seen elsewhere in Oslo and is as relevant today as it has ever been.

from the newly established Oslo Glass Studio

reflecting window, Oslo Glass Studio

outside on the premises

the bazaar halls at kirkeristen house quite a few art studios and workshops. here from the entrance of a potter's studio

detail from the side wall of the cathedral

stained glass detail, Oslo Cathedral