DCIM101GOPRO
Oslo was founded in 1000AD, and has since been the Economic and Governmental Capital of Norway. The city was completely destroyed by fire in 1624 and was moved closer to Akershus Fortress, built approximately in 1290 so the city would have some better defense from invaders. Later the city was renamed Kristiania in 1877 and lasted until 1925 when it was given its original Norwegian name of Oslo.
The ship docked for a few hours here in Oslo, we were a few feet from Akershus, Fortress. The fortress was just that, huge stone walls almost insurmountable by invaders. This site was taken over by the Germans during WWII; it was unharmed and returned to Norway on May 11, 1945.
In 2011, Oslo was named by ECA International as the second most expensive city second to Tokyo. Suzy and I enjoyed this city, it is full of interesting buildings, beautiful parks and abundant flowers. We visited the Viking Museum and then walked to the Kings Castle; the grounds were indeed fit for a king. You’ll find monuments every few blocks. What you’ll find in Oslo that does not exist in many places in the states is that it was Sunday and the people here made the time to dress and have a family outing. Even though it was their city and they have probably been here many times before, families took a stroll together through the park and enjoyed some quality time together. This was easily seen everywhere. We enjoyed Oslo.