Hovedpostkontoret, building in Oslo, Norway
Hovedpostkontoret is an early 20th-century building in Oslo distinguished by massive granite facades, two corner towers with baroque copper domes, and carefully crafted stone details. Inside, a large public hall with high ceilings and period counters reflects its functional character as a post office.
The building was completed in 1924 to designs by architect Rudolf Emanuel Jacobsen and served as the main postal hub for Oslo. An older house from 1640 previously occupied the site, functioning as a school and meeting place for the Stortinget before its demolition in 1914 to make way for the new post office.
The name Hovedpostkontoret means Main Post Office and reflects its central role in Oslo's communication system. The solid stone architecture and large windows still convey a sense of reliability and public importance today.
The building is centrally located in Kvadraturen, easily reached on foot from the city center and prominently visible from the street. The external architecture and stone details can be fully appreciated from outside; visitors should allow time to view the granite facade and decorative towers.
Embedded in the stone wall on the Tollbugata side of the building is a cannonball from 1716 fired from Akershus Fortress that missed its intended target. This unusual artifact was deliberately incorporated into the new post office facade to keep this historical episode alive.
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