Oslo City Hall (Rådhuset)
On Gingerguide's self-guided Oslo audio tour, Oslo City Hall (Rådhuset) is a stop worth about ~60 min. Stand in front of it, press play for a short narrated story, and put any follow-up question to the built-in AI guide.
- Type historic
- Suggested visit ~60 min
- Oslo Oslo guide
About Oslo City Hall (Rådhuset)
Oslo's twin-towered brick city hall on the waterfront, opened in 1950, famous as the hall where the Nobel Peace Prize has been presented every December since 1990.
Oslo City Hall (Rådhuset) houses the city council, administration and municipal government of Oslo. It was designed by the architects Arnstein Arneberg and Magnus Poulsson; the foundation stone was laid in 1931, construction began in 1933, and the building was officially opened on 15 May 1950 for Oslo's 900th anniversary. Built largely of red brick in the Pipervika district facing the Oslofjord, it has two towers, one about 63 metres and the other about 66 metres tall, with a carillon of 49 bells in the eastern tower and an astronomical clock on the north side.
The main hall, Rådhushallen, is decorated with large murals by Henrik Sørensen and Alf Rolfsen depicting Norwegian and Oslo history. Since 1990 the Nobel Peace Prize award ceremony has been held here each 10 December; from 1947 to 1989 it took place in the Aula of the University of Oslo. The design began inspired by Stockholm City Hall and evolved toward a plainer, Functionalist style.
Did you know? The city hall opened on 15 May 1950, timed for Oslo's 900th anniversary, after nearly two decades of design and construction that began back in the early 1930s.
How much time do you need at Oslo City Hall (Rådhuset)?
Around ~60 min works well for Oslo City Hall (Rådhuset) — time to look properly and listen to its story on the spot. Linger if you like; nothing on a self-guided walk is on a clock.
Should you stop at Oslo City Hall (Rådhuset)?
Yes — Oslo City Hall (Rådhuset) made the cut as one of 22 places the Gingerguide team researched and narrated across Oslo. The story tells you why it is worth the stop, and the AI guide fills in anything you still wonder.
Nearby stops in Oslo
Day 2 of the Oslo in 2 days itinerary →Day 2 of the Oslo in 3 days itinerary →
Updated:
Hear the story of Oslo City Hall (Rådhuset)
Preview the Oslo tour free in the Gingerguide app.