#mesto Guide

History of Oslo

The town was established in 1048 by Harald III. Hardrada – the then king of Norway and Denmark. During the reign of King Hakon V. (the beginning of the 14th century) Oslo became the capital and the castle Akershus was built at its contemporary site as well.

Later on, during the Danish rule the town, however, lost its status and slowly degenerated until Christian IV had rebuilt it anew on the opposite side of the gulf and after him it also received its then name – Christiania. In 1811 Oslo University was found and in 1814 it became the capital again. In 1952, Oslo was the place where the winter Olympic Games was held.