Karl Johans gate, Main street in central Oslo, Norway
Karl Johans gate runs from Oslo Central Station up to the Royal Palace at the top of the city. Along the way you find wide pavements, shops, cafés, and restaurants on both sides of this main thoroughfare.
The street took its name in 1852 to honor King Charles III John of Norway and Sweden. An equestrian statue was placed there in 1875 to mark this connection to the monarch.
The National Theatre and University of Oslo sit along this street, shaping how people gather for performances and learning. Students, artists, and visitors naturally drift here to experience what matters in the city's cultural life.
Trams, buses, and metro stops run along or near this street, making it easy to reach different parts of the city. You can walk the entire length or hop on transport if you prefer not to go on foot.
The Sami people have given this street a second name, Elsa Laulan geajnoe, to honor an indigenous activist and reindeer herder. This parallel name reflects the deeper layer of indigenous recognition within the city's landscape.
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