The Monolith

The Monolith is a granite sculpture in Vigeland Park in Oslo, Norway, carved from a single piece of Iddefjord granite. The figures form an ascending spiral pattern with a total of 121 human forms stacked upon one another.

The work was created between 1929 and 1943 by three sculptors who systematically carved a massive granite block. This lengthy creation period made it a significant achievement in 20th-century art history.

The sculpture shows human figures intertwined together, representing the cycle of life from childhood into adulthood. This representation reflects a central theme in Norwegian artistic tradition.

Visitors can reach the monument via several steps that encircle the base, though the elevated position makes it inaccessible for wheelchair users. Good preparation for stairs and uneven ground is necessary to fully explore the site.

The massive granite block was transported from a remote quarry using specialized equipment and required hours to travel short distances through the city streets. This technical feat of the transport is largely forgotten today, even though it was remarkable at the time.