a few days ago i took a walk on the east side of Oslo center from Tøyen then along the Akers river to Grønland and over to the area around the main train staion, Oslo Sentralstasjon. i was impressed by the combination of maintaining the city's history along with modernization. here are a few scenes.
just below the botanical garden there is a new playground with this climbing structure. it seems inspired from both prehistoric animals and at the same time some monstrous invading alien.
next to it is this cozy comfy construction reminiscent of ancient giant seashells or something appropriately botanical. to the left there is a hammock, undoubtedly to accomodate supervising adults.
the predominately well kept buildings in the surrounding area are from the 1800's or early 1900's, mostly 4-story apartment buildings typically with swiss chalet or empire style fenestration and store fronts on the ground level
in the old days all along the river was mainly industrial but much of that has been replaced with modern architecture.
however there are still many historic highlights such as the Hausmanns bro. it is a cast iron arch bridge with a 16 meter span over the river. it was built in the 1890's but in 1986 the bridge was widened to 6 lanes using the original technology.
following the path downstream along the river brings me to Olafiagangen in Grønland. for decades this area has been a dirty part of town where you would not venture in after dark except for to seek out some sort of shady business.
more recently, many of the local residents have had enough
so now the place is getting cleaned up in more ways than one. these skydiving frogmen are engaged to help make it a far more desirable place to live and work but that feat isn't accomplished overnight.
i soon arrive at the iconic Oslo Spectrum with it's marvelous brick and tile facade
though it opened in 1990 it is already being modernized and expanded to accomodate major events. when finished the concert hall alone will have a capacity of 27000
it is worth taking a more detailed look
across the street is a shopping center and the main bus terminal
but i am headed the other way toward the cathedral. i pass outside a parking garage and taxi stand connected to the train station when i notice the sheet metal wall reflecting colors from inside. i can't make out if this was intentionally designed or not. i guess the wall goes unnoticed by the vast majority of bypassers...
...because instead their attention is directed across the street to what i presume is the ongoing expansion of the Spectrum but i may be wrong about that. it is new to me.
i have time to make a quick stop at the cathedral which was completed in 1697. outside, not far from the main entrance this rather disturbing sculpture is embedded in the corner.
the theme of humans being devoured by reptilian creatures is far from new and it is not only found in religious contexts. for example i have seen several similar ones in the famous Wigeland Scupture Park. clearly there is more on this earth than meets the eye.
luckiy the cathedral is open. though not overly ornate and impressive compared to major cathedrals around euorope. the atmosphere is nonetheless definitely ethereal. the organ is monumental and i would love to hear it either in a religious service or a concert. i was surprised to learn that the organ we see is the facade (pipes) of the original one but the organ itself was replaced in 1998 with a splendid Ryde and Berg from Norway.
the alterpiece has several features. including a rather peculiar rendering of the last supper. i didn't have time to stay for that because i had a train to catch.
i arrived at the station a couple of minutes early and proceeded down the ramp to the track. instead of waiting outside in the cold i stood inside at the bottom of the ramp and started noticing little details
that i shall leave you with.
