Kvadraturen, Historical neighborhood in central Oslo, Norway.
Kvadraturen is a neighborhood in central Oslo with a grid of straight streets between Akershus Fortress and Grensen, reflecting Renaissance city planning. The area contains government buildings, museums, restaurants, and shops arranged along this orderly street network.
King Christian IV ordered this neighborhood built after 1624 following a fire that destroyed the earlier settlement and required the city to be relocated. The planned structure shows the king's vision for a modern capital modeled on Renaissance principles.
Christiania Torv square shapes the neighborhood with its fountain and hand sculpture, marking where King Christian IV chose to establish the new city. This monument shows how residents and visitors encounter the district's founding story in everyday moments.
The area is easy to explore on foot thanks to its rectangular street layout that makes navigation straightforward and logical. Its central location near public transport options means it is accessible year-round regardless of season or timing.
Rådmannsgården from 1626 and Anatomigården from 1640 are among the oldest surviving buildings in all of Oslo. These two houses demonstrate how early structures have persisted alongside newer construction in the neighborhood.
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