Empty Underground Train Station

Picture taken in the central underground train station under the National Theatre in Oslo while I was waiting for my daughters’ train to arrive. The platform is actually not empty, but extremely long. This is the far end and all the people are hidden behind the signpost and staircase in the middle of the picture. It looks very cosy and warm there, but that is just a trick of the light, the place is a dull, unimaginative grey but my digital Nikon Coolpix 3200 camera that I always carry in my pocket read the light like this. The image is not filtered in any way.

This is one of the tunnels leading down to the underground station and in the light of completely different types of light fixtures you can see the same dull grey concrete that covers the wall down at the station – Ted

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The Folk Museum In Oslo – The Late Seventies And Now

Three black’n’whites taken at the Folk Museum in Oslo with
my beloved Canon F1 sometimes in the late 1970s, but they might
as well have been
taken yesterday.

When I studied graphic design at the Art And Handcraft Collage in Oslo back then we started the school year drawing at the Folk Museum. It build the foundation for my love for the place and I’m there with my girlfriend Ingrid almost every
week still – Ted

 
As I said at the top of the post, I’m still The Folk Museum in Oslo quite often. These colour pictures were taken just a few weeks ago when I was there with my girlfriend – Ted

Related articles

• Oslo: More Parks, More Coffee Shops (ariellafong.com)
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Akershus Castle And Fortress

Akershus Castle And Fortress seen from the ferry going between Oslo city and the museums on Bygdø. The private yacht to the left is called The Sea Owl and the sailing ship to the right is used for pirate cruises for kids – Ted (Photo taken with my cellular phone last month)

By the way, Akershus Castle And Fortress is listed as No 16 among the worlds most haunted places and looking at this picture by Hans-Petter Fjeld it is easier to believe:

Built around 1300, Akershus Fortress (aka Akershus Castle) is a medieval castle that served as a defensive stronghold for the city of Oslo. It has served as a prison during the late 18th-19th centuries, with many prisoners dying during their imprisonment. Nazi’s also occupied the castle during World War II, carrying out many executions on the site.

Akershus Castle is believed to be the most haunted place in Norway, with many ghosts to speak of. With its vast history it’s of little surprise. The most popular of all is the demon dog named Malcanisen that’s said to guard the gates to the castle. Legend says that anyone that is approached by Malcanisen is sentenced to a horrible death sometime in the following three months.

The ghost of a woman named Mantelgeisten is often seen within the castle, walking back towards her chamber. She appears from the darkness wearing a long robe, and has no facial features.

Text below last picture Haunted Rooms

Here’s a short look around the castle and fortress (no ghosts thought)

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An Early Morning Greeting From Christiania

The postcard is not dated but is most probably from around the turn of the last century. Behind the intoxicated slobs you can see the top of the national theatre to the right and parts of the university to the left. (Note: Christiania is not called Oslo)

From my collection of old postcards  -  Ted

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Old Postcards From Oslo

Two old postcards from Christiania (now called Oslo), both showing the main street, Carl Johan’s gate. The one at the top is from 1910 and the one at the bottom fro 1909.

From my collection of old postcards – Ted

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Oscars Hall, Oslo, Norway

In the mid-19th century King Oscar I had the pleasure palace of Oscarshall built on rising ground above the innermost arm of the Oslo Fjord. Since 1863 it has been at the King’s disposal. Oscarshall is regarded as Norway’s neo-Gothic showpiece and a monument to mid-19th century Norwegian art. Terraces with fountains at different levels lead down to the sea.

Guided tours
Guided tours of Oscarshall (in Norwegian) are held every hour during opening hours. The final tour starts at 4 pm. Pre-booked group tours are also available.

Top image from “old-picture.com” – Text from “visitoslo.com”

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Autumn Brook; Smedstad, Oslo

There’s a foot path right up on the left bank out of view and I can follow it all the way from where I live a good 3 km further north and all the way down to the small artificial lake at Smestad. It’s a great walk any time of the year. You completely forget that you are just outside Oslo city – Ted

Image found at “the way north”

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Teddy Softbar In Oslo

Teddy Softbar is a wonderful survivor from the 1950’s in Oslo, where it is still possible to smell hair pomade and motor oil, where formica is exclusive and bacon and eggs is a healthy fulsome breakfast.

The softbar in Brugata in Oslo opened its doors in 1958,the interior is preserved from the 50’s, and the Wurlitzer stands where it always has been. Good food and the bar is fully licensed.

Never go to Oslo and miss it.

Text and images found at “Nostalgisiden”

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The Frognerseteren Restaurant, Oslo, Norway

Postcard from the mid sixties from my own collections. The restaurant is still in business and quite popular both among tourists and locals. When I studied graphic design at the art and handcraft collage in Oslo we used to sneak away  and go here to drink cocoa and eat apple-pie with cream. on the terrace if the weather was good, by the large fireplace inside if it was not. Good memories, really good memories.

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When Oslo Was Called Kristiania

Sometimes in the 1920’s  Kristiania, The capitol of Norway changed its name back to it’s original name Oslo (eg: Obslo, the place where the river Ob meets the sea). All these pictures were taken before this happened.

 

1880-View from Ekeberg	1880-View from  the RoyalPalace	1890-Karl Johan’s Street
1890-The Fire station	1900-The Harbour	1901- Holmenkollen ski jump
1903-The Main Square	1904-The Fish Market	1905 -Egertorget
1905-Main Street	1909-Karl Johan’s Street	1910-Grønland Square

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More Easy Chair Traveling, “Akerselva” Oslo’s Town River

“Akerselva” seen through Edvard Munch’s sister Inger Munch’s camera lens the summer of 1929.

Inger Munch’s own introduction to the picture: In the summer of 1929 my brother, Edvard Munch suggested that I’d take some pictures of the different houses we had lived in at "Grünerløkka". I did so, and went up to "Brekke" and "Kjelsås" farm where we lived during the summer of 1875 and 76. While doing this I got the idea of taking pictures along the whole of the "Akerselva", from where it starts to where it runs in to the Oslo fjord. As my brother spent some years of his youth in no 7 "Fossveien" some of his earliest paintings are from this part of Oslo.
Here’s a Picasa gallery showing all the 68 photos in Inger Munch’s book

A lot of what you see on Inger Munch’s pictures are still there to day. A walk along the "Akerselva" is and has always been among my favourites and I walk the whole river from it’s outlet to the fjord at least 4-5 times a year. It is one of the things I miss the most when I stay away from my home town for too long.

It may lack the grandeur of The Thames, The Seine and other large town rivers. But it has close to 60 water falls, trout and crayfish, woodlands, old industry and charm and it is my town river –Ted

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