Parliament of Norway Building, Parliament building in central Oslo, Norway
Parliament of Norway Building is a yellow brick structure with gray granite details standing in central Oslo and displaying Romanesque Revival architecture. The structure features a symmetrical facade with a semicircular central section and contains multiple chambers including the main plenary hall, the former Lagthing chamber, and a secure basement room for sensitive deliberations.
The building opened in 1866 after architect Emil Victor Langlet won a design competition, overcoming earlier proposals that resembled church architecture. Langlet's selection marked a turning point in creating a secular, independent parliamentary space for the Norwegian nation.
The Central Hall functions as a gathering space where lawmakers encounter journalists and where visitors can view a large textile artwork by Sissel Blystad. You can observe the daily interaction between politicians and press representatives, giving you a sense of how this place operates as Norway's political heart.
The building has multiple entrances and is easily accessible on foot from central Oslo. Weekday visits offer the best chance to observe parliamentary activity and see the spaces in use.
Two stone lions guard the entrance ramps leading to the main platform, carved by inmates from Akershus Fortress under sculptor C. Borch's direction. This unexpected link between a prison and this important government seat adds an unusual layer to the building's story.
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