Kjærlighetskarusellen, Public urinal in Stensparken, Norway
Kjærlighetskarusellen is a circular public toilet in Stensparken designed with rain protection, ventilation, and privacy features while blending into the park setting. The structure displays architectural elements from its original period and maintains its distinctive circular form.
Built in 1937 by city architect Harald Aars, this structure existed during a period when homosexuality was illegal in Norway. It received protected status from the Norwegian Directorate for Cultural Heritage in 2009 due to its historical importance.
The name means 'Love Carousel' in Norwegian, reflecting its historical significance as a meeting place for the gay community. Today it serves as a space for remembrance and understanding of LGBTQ+ history in the country.
The facility is located near Fagerborg Church and is easily reached on foot from surrounding neighborhoods. It underwent restoration and received new lighting in 2022, making it more accessible and safer to visit.
This is the only surviving public facility of its kind that served as a meeting place for gay men in pre-1972 Norway. Its preservation today makes it an important witness to a hidden history that was once illegal.
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