Archive for category History and architecture
A history of Norway in 10 key dates
Posted by admin in History and architecture on March 10, 2010
- 800–1066 The vikings invade Europe on their famous longships.
- 1030 Olaf Haraldsson is killed at the battle of Stiklestad. He was the driving force behind Norway’s conversion to Christianity, and was later canonized, and known as St Olav.
- 1349 The Black Plague kills half of Norway’s inhabitants.
- 1450 Norway becomes a subject of the Danish Crown. It will remain under its authority for almost 400 years.
- 1814 Secession from Denmark. The peace treaty of Kiel gives Norway to Sweden. The Norwegian constitution is written.
- 1825 First wave of Norwegian immigrations to the USA. The big exodus starts.
- 1905 The union with Sweden is dissolved and Norway becomes independent.
- 1960s Oil is found in the North Sea, a discovery that will change the fortunes of the country significantly.
- 1972 Norway votes against EU membership (it will do so again in 1994).
- 1994 The winter Olympics are held in Lillehammer.
Østfold in Pictures: Halden Fortress
Posted by admin in History and architecture, Photos and videos on March 1, 2010
Fredriksten Festning, Halden
Posted by admin in History and architecture on March 1, 2010
Halden Fortress, or rather Fredriksten Festning, to give it its real name, was built in the 17th century in a bid to protect the country’s border against attacks form its belligerent neighbour to the south. Perched on a hill facing Sweden across Iddefjord, one of eastern Norway’s deepest fjords, the fortress is quite a sight, particularly when lit up at night. It is used for many events throughout the year, including outdoor concerts and an opera festival in summer, and a Christmas market in December.
The fortress is open to visitors year round. You can join a guided tour (including a ghost tour for children) in season or explore the compound at your leisure, with or without an audioguide. Fredriksten fortress is home to a museum, several restaurants, a shop and a tourist information centre. In addition there is also a golf course and a campsite (open in season only) within the grounds, just outside the walls. The fortress is a hugely popular attraction – 290,000 people visited last year (2009), more than ever before. Entry is free (charge for the museum).
Modern architecture in Fredikstad
Posted by admin in History and architecture, Photos and videos on February 26, 2010
Fredrikstad Town Hall and Cinema
Posted by admin in History and architecture on February 26, 2010
Designed by award-winning architect firm L2 Arkitekter AS, the people behind the Oljemuseet in Stavanger and Tønsberg Library among other projects, the Fredrikstad Town Hall and Cinema complex was completed in 2002. The building, which houses a 6-screen cinema in the basement and ground floor, and 310 office spaces on the floors above, covers an area of 15,000 square meters, and cost 257 million kroner to build. The main entrance, just off Nygaardsgate, the main pedestrian street, overlooks the cathedral and the park that surrounds it. Features of note include the angular clocktower and the striking facade, with its huge door, off-white columns and copper panels.
Birkebeinerne, by Knud Bergslien (1869)
Posted by admin in History and architecture, Sport on February 22, 2010
Norway and the Winter Olympics
Posted by admin in History and architecture, Sport on February 22, 2010
Day 11 of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, and so far 5 gold medals, 3 silver and 4 bronze. It hasn’t been such a bad year for Norway after all, although some of the big favourites, Petter Northug among them, haven’t scored so well.
Here are, however, a few hugely impressive facts to ponder. It might be small (just about 4.7 million inhabitants), but Norway is the country that has won the most medals in the history of the Winter Olympics. A whopping 290 medals to date (and counting!), well ahead of the US in second position with 237, and the former Soviet Union with 217. So far Norway has won 103 gold medals in the Winter Olympics, again, well ahead of the US and the former Soviet Union (84 and 87 respectively). Well, they do say that Norwegians are ‘born with skis on their feet’… but still!
In terms of gold medals, the best games so far for Norway were Salt Lake City in 2002, when Norway scooped an unbelievable 13 gold medals (out of 25 medals they brought home). But the most successful games overall were the Lillehammer games in 1994, when Norway, which was competing on home turf, beat all other participating countries and topped the table with an impressive 26 medals, of which 10 gold!
Østfold in Pictures: Gamlebyen’s drawbridge
Posted by admin in History and architecture, Photos and videos on February 3, 2010
Focus on Gamlebyen: The drawbridge
Posted by admin in History and architecture on February 3, 2010
The drawbridge, at the entrance to the Old Town, is the first thing visitors see on approaching Gamlebyen. As many as 30 soldiers were once required to raise the bridge at dusk and lower it at dawn. Anyone arriving after the bridge had been drawn would have to wait until the next day to get into the town. The bridge is still there, but because it’s built of wood it has burned down and been rebuilt many times. Today it’s a popular spot with locals, who come here to feed the ducks in summer, and take sunset pictures in winter. The guardhouse outside the bridge has been converted into a glassblower’s cabin. A selection of hand-blown glassware is on display – on certain days during the holidays you can even see the glassmith at work.
Østfold in Pictures: View from Greåker Fort
Posted by admin in History and architecture, Photos and videos on January 23, 2010
