Oslo Opera House and Vigeland Sculpture Park

Background

Both sights are in Oslo, Norway: the Opera House stands on the Bjørvika waterfront in the city centre, and Vigeland Sculpture Park lies inside Frogner Park on the west side of the city. The Oslo Opera House was designed by the Norwegian firm Snøhetta and opened in April 2008 as the home of the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet. Its exterior is clad in white granite and Italian Carrara marble, and the sloping roof rises gently from the ground so that anyone can walk up it for views over the city and the fjord; the walls, floors and balcony fronts of the main hall are covered in oak. Vigeland Sculpture Park brings together 212 bronze and granite sculptures by Gustav Vigeland; the Angry Boy on the bridge is one of the most popular. In 1921 Vigeland signed a contract with the City of Oslo: the city built him a studio at Frogner, and he left all his works to the city. In 2009 Frogner Park and the Vigeland installation were protected under the Cultural Heritage Act, the first park in Norway to receive this protection.

Local customs

• Climb the Opera House roof for a view over the Oslofjord
• watch the sunset over the bay from outside the Opera House in the evening
• walk Vigeland Park's main axis from the gate, across the bridge and past the fountain to the Monolith, looking closely at the sculptures of every stage of life.

Travel tips

• The Opera House roof and public foyer are free to enter during opening hours
• guided tours and performances need tickets, and some areas may close on performance days. Check prices and opening hours with the official information. Vigeland Park is free and open all day. Oslo is expensive, so plan your meals ahead.
• The Opera House is just over ten minutes on foot from Oslo Central Station
• for Vigeland Park, take the tram to the Frogner area and walk from there. Travelling between the two by bus or tram takes about half an hour. May to September brings long daylight, ideal for the roof and park walks
• in winter the snowy roof is striking but can be icy. The Opera House has performances for most of the year, and popular productions should be booked early.