We decided to break with tradition this year and head towards the Northern Lights (or at least the Northern atmosphere). We welcomed the New Year in Oslo. Although the cold sometimes tested us, the city’s charm and special experiences made up for every frosty minute.
Oslo is not a modern child: according to the sagas, it was founded by King Harald III of Norway around 1048, although archaeologists have found Christian graves even earlier. It was still an important trading center in the Middle Ages, but in 1624 a huge fire almost completely destroyed it. King Christian IV of Denmark and Norway had it rebuilt and modestly named Christiania after himself – this name the city bore until 1925. Today it is a vibrant, modern metropolis, but you can feel the Viking past and the proximity of the sea in every step.
We walked a lot, even though we had to dress in layers. We also visited the Paradox Museum, which was brilliant! The upside-down rooms and the world of optical illusions were a perfect contrast to the historic streets outside. During our many walks, we were lucky enough to meet an old acquaintance of my wife’s who has been living abroad for a while. It was very interesting to listen to her; she told us about everyday life in Norway and how the locals cope with the long winters.
One of our most memorable evenings was spent at Lorry. It is not just a place, it is an institution: the oldest restaurant in Norway, where life has been going on since 1874. There are antiques and trophies everywhere on the walls, and the atmosphere is inimitable. Here we finally tasted real Nordic cuisine, first I had a Norwegian fish soup, which was creamy, rich, full of fresh seafood, and then a Reindeer steak. This characterful, wild flavor was perfect for the winter outside.
We celebrated New Year’s Eve at the Thief restaurant, one of the most stylish spots in the city in the modern Tjuvholmen district. The dinner menu was simply fantastic, each course a gastronomic work of art. And at midnight we went up to the hotel’s roof terrace: we stood there in the freezing night, champagne in hand, and watched from above as the fireworks illuminated the Oslo harbor and the fjord. It was an unforgettable moment.
The next day, in the fresh New Year’s air, we walked to the famous Vigeland Park. This is a place that everyone has probably seen pictures of: it is full of strange, naked human figures. More than 200 works by Gustav Vigeland are on display here, including the most famous, the “Angry Boy” (Sinnataggen) and the huge Monolith, which consists of 121 intertwined human figures. There is something both raw and deeply human about it.
Although sometimes a little extra warmth would have been nice, Oslo exceeded all our expectations. Was it cold? Yes. Was it worth it? Definitely!
