Norway seems like a cold country with enchanting views and Scandinavian flavor. A country of fjords and trolls, mountains and waterfalls. Tourists from all over the world come here for the scenery, fresh air and, of course, impressions. Most tourists begin their acquaintance with the capital - Oslo. It is there that the most controversial attraction in all of Scandinavia is located - the Vigeland Sculpture Park.
Rarely a tourist visiting Oslo will bypass it. After all, this is the largest and most interesting park in Norway. Most who visit this place have mixed impressions. And it’s not surprising, because you don’t see a sculptural complex representing the era of the Third Reich every day.
What is interesting about Vigeland Park?
Vigeland Park is located in the heart of Norway, its capital - the city of Oslo. It is located in the Frogner area. The site is part of the central royal park Frogner. The uniqueness of this complex open air the fact that it is not the park we are used to, exalting the strength and beauty of nature. The Vigeland Sculpture Park in Oslo is a museum with sacred meaning, objects that reflect satanic forces and are the quintessence of the fall of man.
There is another vision: some researchers believe that the exhibits are closely related not to Christian symbolism, but to Scandinavian mythology, displaying the cycle of life and death as it was seen during pagan times. One thing can be said with confidence: each sculpture is imbued with imagery and symbolism. different cultures. This main reason, which makes it different from thousands of other sculpture parks around the world.
History of creation
The park was designed and created by Gustav Vigeland between 1907 and 1942. The history of the park began with the fact that it received an order from the government to make sculptures depicting the great personalities of Norway. By that time, Vigeland was already a fairly famous and promising sculptor with his own style of work. Back in early years in his work, symbols of sin and satanic forces began to be traced, which reflected the essence of man.
1921 was a turning point in the master’s work. The house in Oslo, in which he lived and worked, was designated for demolition by the city authorities. During a lengthy trial, the authorities allocated Gustav another building and part of Frogner's territory, but with the condition that all future works of the master would belong to the city. This is how Gustav Vigeland Park was born.
Over the next 20 years, the sculptor thoroughly redesigned Frogner and created a completely new museum of his works in the open air. Over the years, the park has been modified and remodeled many times, some sculptures have changed their location. Vigeland worked on it until his death.
Vigeland Park today
Now the park occupies an impressive area of 30 hectares. Much of the project has remained unchanged since Gustav's time. Oslo authorities are trying their best possible ways preserve the authenticity of the place. On the territory of the complex there are 277 sculptures reflecting the diversity of human conditions and relationships between people.
In general, the main theme of the park can safely be called the human condition. Most of the monuments depict people in moments of different states, in dynamics, which allows their true emotions to be revealed. In terms of the psychological nature of his works, Vigeland can be compared with such researchers of human psychology as Jung and Freud. He did not simply convey his vision of human emotions with the help of sculptures, but first subjected them to in-depth analysis in order to express his plans as accurately as possible.
The psychological nature of sculpture is something that only a virtuoso and a true master of his craft can master. And if you add to this the depth of analysis and the creepy demonic symbolism of all the sculptures, you get a truly delightfully terrible collaboration.
The most significant sculptures in the park
It is impossible to convey the complexity and versatility of each sculpture in words. Even photos of the Vigeland sculpture park cannot reflect half the grandeur of this work. But we will still try to talk about several of the most famous and monumental sculptures.
The main gate is the first exhibit from which your acquaintance with Gustav Vigeland Park begins. They are made of granite and wrought iron. The project was created in 1926, but final version saw the world only in 1942 and was sponsored by the state.
The entire structure includes five large gates and two small ones. The forged doors are decorated with the same forged images of the Serpent, which in the biblical tradition is a symbol of the unclean and the devil himself. This first exhibit acts as a kind of warning for visitors, so that they understand “from the very beginning” where they are going.
The exhibit amazes with the scale of its composition. The bridge itself does not exceed 100 m in length and 15 m in width, but its main feature is the sculptures that are installed on the parapets along it. The structure was built between 1925 and 1933.
There are 58 bronze figures on the granite parapets. There are groups of people and it is lonely standing women, children and men. Like the ancient masters, all the figures are naked, but if the Greeks sang the beauty of the human body, then in Vigeland they are depicted with pronounced flaws. The sculptures on the bridge are a reflection of the passions and whims of man.
The location of each exhibit in the park is no coincidence; for example, on the level below the bridge there is a children’s playground surrounded by figures of children. It symbolizes the origin of life on the border of the worlds: below is the river and the path to world of the dead, and above is a bridge with people and their passions.
The exhibit, if you follow the world built by Gustav, is already on the other side - in the other world. The fountain - this symbolizes the source of wisdom Urd from Scandinavian mythology. According to legend, this source gave wisdom to the gods. Therefore, the sculpture looks gloomy, majestic and impressive, like Scandinavia itself.
The Fountain is surrounded by 20 bronze trees that parody the Garden of Eden. But if in Christian scripture people inhabit Eden, then in Vigeland’s vision the trees of the garden are people. The fountain project was created back in 1924, but it received its final location and appearance in 1924.
The Monolith plateau rises above the park territory. The sculpture depicts an intertwining of human bodies that rises to the sky. Each figure of the monument is worked with amazing care and skill. The symbolic component of this exhibit can be interpreted in many ways. This is both a new Tower of Babel and an assault on the gates of heaven carried out by humanity. What remains obvious is that humanity has failed in its arrogant attempts.
The first draft of the Monolith was drawn in 1919. However, its implementation took 14 long years, during which three masters completed this amazing work. In 1947, an additional 36 granite sculptures were installed on the steps leading to the statue. The monolith, like many other sculptures in Vigeland Park, displays the cycle human life with all the variety of situations and emotions experienced in them.
Wheel of Life
The exhibit represents figures of people intertwined in a circle. It is made of bronze and has a diameter of three meters. This garland of bodies symbolizes the cycle of life, the path from birth to the grave and from death to rebirth. A cruel cycle of rebirth in this world with no hope of peace or another outcome.
The sculpture is nothing more than a sundial of monumental size, with the signs of the Zodiac depicted on it. The sculpture was erected back in 1940, at that time horoscopes, and the signs of the Zodiac in general, were not popular among the population. The Zodiac Clock is a symbol of a new religion, which was created by the devil to distract humanity from God and his truth.
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When and how to get to Vigeland Park
As a rule, Oslo is the first city visited by tourists in Norway. Therefore, sightseeing of the country begins from here. But in an unfamiliar city it is quite difficult to navigate transport and get to your destination, even if you know approximately where the right place is.
Vigeland Park in Oslo in the photo looks smaller than it actually is, so it will be difficult to drive through it
The most convenient way to get to the park is by tram 12. Its route passes through the heart of Oslo, so you won’t have to search for long. The easiest way to find your way is from the Aker Brige embankment. In this area you can easily find the Nobel Center just opposite the tram tracks.
You just need to walk to the stop and wait for tram number 12. Drive about 15 minutes to the Vigelandsparken stop. Alternatively, you can walk to your destination. If you follow the route of the tram tracks, you definitely won’t get lost.
The Gustav Vigeland Sculpture Park is open to visitors 24 hours a day, summer and winter. Entry is free. However, it is worth considering that exploring the park will take a lot of time and it is best to go there in the morning to return to the hotel in the evening.
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Vigeland Park in Oslo is a unique example of park architecture that you can only see in Norway. You cannot come to Oslo and ignore such a large-scale and interesting attraction. Therefore, be sure to go to the Vigeland Sculpture Park if you are in Norway.
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Distant and mysterious Oslo, founded by the Vikings, is the greenest city in the world, ideal for both active and relaxing holidays. The capital of beautiful Norway, located in the south of the country, has a special atmosphere with a unique Scandinavian flavor.
A city with many faces thousand years of history It is unlikely to be able to compete with ancient metropolises full of architectural and historical attractions. However, tourists interested in the question of what to see in Oslo will not be disappointed.
Viking Citadel
The glorious city, whose authorities carefully protect its virgin natural areas, is surrounded by mountain peaks covered with dense forests. Located in a picturesque location, at the very beginning of the Oslofjord, which stretches for 100 kilometers, the capital of Norway is recognized as a mirror of the history and modernity of the state. The ancient Viking citadel, which survived periods of prosperity and decline, is rightfully considered the most interesting city countries.
How can a Russian get to the Norwegian capital?
Oslo is currently experiencing a record influx of tourists wanting to experience cultural traditions and the most unusual corners of the Norwegian pearl. Russians often choose it as their vacation spot, and no one regrets it interesting journey to Scandinavia.
Thus, the Aeroflot company operates direct flights from the capital of our country, and planes depart from Moscow to Oslo twice a day. Travel time takes about three hours, and round-trip tickets cost about $300. It is worth considering that flights with transfers to European cities will cost much more.
Those who are afraid to fly choose ground transport and set off on a long journey by train. You need to know that there are no direct flights "Moscow - Oslo", and first you will have to get to Helsinki, then take a ferry to Stockholm, and from there by high speed train to the Norwegian capital. The travel time will be 32 hours, and round-trip tickets will cost more than $540.
Park with controversial sculptures
Tourists go on exciting excursions, and one of the most interesting adventures awaits everyone in the famous and controversial Vigelandsparken. You can visit it completely free of charge. Time in Oslo differs from Moscow by only an hour in the summer (in winter - by two), so vacationers do not have to spend several days working out new mode. Guests of the capital will be able to immediately go to an unusual corner that occupies an area of 30 hectares.
This is one of the most memorable places in Oslo, which evokes conflicting feelings. The park was created by the famous Gustav Vigeland, who devoted about 40 years of his life to his creation. He brought to perfection each of the 227 life-size sculptures and numerous details that connect the space of the gigantic open-air complex into a single whole. All the author’s works (park architecture, fountains, bridges, fences) are interconnected like links in one chain.
However, this is not an ordinary park where tourists have fun, but a real sacred place, where some masterpieces symbolize the human fall and personify satanic power. All kinds of human states are the main theme of the complex, where the sculpture of a person depicts abstract feelings or emotions that are understandable to everyone at first sight.
Entrance and alley with sculptures
The main gate is made of snow-white granite and iron painted black. On them you can see fancy patterns - stylized figures of men, personifying different stages of life. The gate consists of five large and two small portals, decorated with square lanterns. If you look closely at the doors, you can see images of the Serpent - the biblical symbol of Satan.
Near the entrance there is a tourist information center and several souvenir shops. Next there is a long alley, along which there are numerous sculptures of women, men and children, reflecting the whole gamut of human feelings. Right there stands a statue of the author himself, who did not live a year before the opening of his brainchild. It is curious that this is the only work in the park that is “dressed”.
Unique project
Fascinated by philosophy and mysticism, the promising artist was interested in images personifying the demonic principle and the sins of people. stated that human nature is much more complex than all the devilish forces. The Norwegian authorities considered Vigeland a mad genius with a burning desire to create a unique project for the city of Oslo.
Having received dozens of hectares of land at his full disposal at the beginning of the last century, he began work on creating works that, according to the terms of the contract, could not be sold to anyone. The master did whatever he pleased, and thus a mysterious park appeared in the capital of Norway in 1940 with a huge collection of provocative masterpieces made of granite, bronze and iron.
What motivated the author of the strange place and what goals he pursued, no one can answer now. Perhaps he reflected his view of human essence, focusing on bright and spectacular images. Most likely, the creator did not even think of creating a real hell on earth, as many visitors perceive the Vigeland Sculpture Park, but only wanted to demonstrate the weakness of a person who cannot resist vices, but is trying to fight his demons.
As modern researchers say, the opening of an unusual complex, where everything was designed by a Norwegian master, coincided with slogans about racial theory that became extremely popular at that time. But the Oslo city administration assured that the park began to be built even before Hitler came to power, and therefore does not see any connection between it and the propaganda of nationalism.
The philosophical meaning of each image
All Vigeland's works, conveying various emotions, carry philosophical meaning, and in each work you can see life path person - from birth to departure. Images of naked people confuse many visitors who do not understand the symbolism of the compositions.
The author of the dark images wanted to convey to the audience the idea that the meaning of life lies in spirituality and the desire for bright forces. Through the language of gestures, poses, and facial expressions, the contradictory personality embodied his thoughts about man and his purpose.
Central composition of the complex
The main composition of the Vigeland Sculpture Park in Oslo is recognized as the work “Monolith”, the base of which is a stone platform with 36 groups symbolizing the cycle of life. The most high point The complex was created over 14 years.
In the center of the platform there is a 17-meter pillar, on which there are figures of people climbing up. There are a variety of opinions as to what meaning Vigeland put into the composition: some see a prototype of the Tower of Babel, while others believe that this is a man’s attempt to climb Olympus and thereby challenge the Creator.
However, as the guides will tell you, the “Monolith”, consisting of intertwined human bodies, personifies the natural desire of people to become better morally, to get closer to God, and only unity will help find the path to salvation. The main theme of the composition is the cycle of human life, and it is no coincidence that you can get here through iron gates with the contours of figures depicting people at different ages.
Unusual fountain
You can't miss the fountain, surrounded by 20 bronze trees shining in the sunlight. Each of them is a symbol of certain stages that a person goes through. Arranged in a circle, they show that after natural departure, a new life is born, and no one can prevent the rebirth.
Visitors seem to find themselves in other world, but in fact the creator of the structure with a bas-relief border parodied it in which a person, instead of enjoying beauty, renounces God and turns into an ordinary tree.
Bridge decorated with human figures
A little further from the entrance to the Vigeland Sculpture Park you can see a hundred-meter bridge, decorated with 58 bronze sculptures mounted on granite parapets. The figures of children and adults are naked and visitors are unlikely to be delighted perfect proportions, since the artist did not seek to show the beauty of the human body. People with various physical disabilities stand in groups and individually, and on their faces there is a grimace of unbearable suffering.
Statues that arouse the interest of visitors
Just below the bridge, under which the river flows, symbolizing the Styx and separating the world of the dead and the living, the material and the spiritual, there is a children's playground made in the shape of a circle. There are eight sculptures of babies on it, and the main one is the figure of an unborn child, frozen upside down. The author considers composition to be the place where life begins.
One of the most beloved among visitors is the sculpture, whose name sounds like “Angry Boy,” but the sculpture of a child, stamping his feet on the ground in rage, received the unofficial name “Vigeland’s Mona Lisa.” Every guest of the park is sure to take a photo with the very popular grimacing boy, holding his hands, and the child’s polished palms shine in the sun.
No less remarkable are the creations mounted on four pillars. People enslaved by a lizard-like monster try to resist, but in the end they surrender under the powerful onslaught of the demon, which tightly squeezes the human body.
A parody of an evil and dark world
The sculpture "Wheel of Life" evokes a storm of emotions among visitors. The bronze work, which represents a garland of people holding each other, symbolizes the life cycle from cradle to death, from grave to rebirth. Personification eternal life Many art critics consider it a parody of a gloomy and soulless world in which a person is deprived of hope for a better life.
Museum of the Sculptor
In the south of the Vigeland Sculpture Park there is an artist’s studio, in which no one changed anything after the death of the creator. Now it houses a popular museum, and all its exhibits introduce the work of the famous Norwegian master, who created many creations and designed the Nobel Prize. His masterpieces adorn many today, but the main work of the misunderstood genius is the extraordinary garden of people, looking into which everyone comes out amazed.
The theme of the park is “the human condition.” Most of the statues depict people engaged in various activities such as running, wrestling, dancing, hugging, etc. Each of the statues conveys a certain set of emotions, human relationships, often with deep philosophical overtones, which makes many compositions quite difficult to perceive, for example, a sculpture of an adult man who fights off a horde of babies.
Locals actively use the park for games, recreation fresh air, picnics. In March 2007, the park was subjected to vandalism - an unknown person or group of people pasted black paper scraps on the nipples, crotches, and buttocks of all the sculptures in the park.
Park attractions
Main Gate
The main gate (wrought iron and granite) serves as the direct entrance to the park. They consist of five large gates, two small ones for pedestrians and two copper-clad checkpoints decorated with weathervanes. The main gate was installed in 1942 at the expense of the Norwegian Bank.
Bridge
58 sculptures are located along a hundred-meter-long, 15-meter-wide bridge from the Main Gate to the Fountain. All these bronze sculptures correspond to the main idea of the park - “Human Temperament”. Here visitors will be able to see one of the park's most popular statues - "Angry Kid". In 1940, the Bridge became the first part of the park open to the public. Visitors were able to enjoy the sculptures while much of the park was still under renovation.
Playground
At the end of the bridge is the Children's Playground, a group of eight bronze statues depicting children at play. In the center, on a granite column, is an embryo. In addition, there is a pond where ducks and geese swim.
Fountain
According to the original design, the fountain, made of bronze and decorated with 60 individual bronze sculptures, was to stand in front of the Parliament building. The fountain, depicting children and skeletons on the branches of giant trees, symbolizes that new life follows death. Around the fountain lies a mosaic of white and black granite with an area of 1800 square meters. m. Vigeland worked on this monument from 1906 to 1943.
Plateau "Monolith"
The Monolith Plateau is a stone platform surrounded by steps that serves as the base for the central figure of the Monolith Park. 36 groups of people are located on a hill and symbolize the “circle of life.” Access to the plateau is through 8 figurative gates made of wrought iron. The gate was designed between 1933 and 1937. and installed shortly after Vigeland's death in 1943.
Monolith
At the highest point of the park, on a plateau, there is a central figure - the Monolith. Construction of the massive monument began in 1924, when Gustav Vigeland modeled it in clay in his studio in Frogner. The design process took him 10 months and Vigeland allegedly used several sketches designed back in 1919. Subsequently, the model was “frozen” in the form of a plaster model. In the fall of 1927, a block of granite weighing several hundred tons was delivered to the park from a stone quarry in Halden and was installed only a year later. A wooden canopy was built around it to protect the components. A plaster model of Vigeland was placed on the side as a reference to the sculptors of the project. The translation of the figures from the model began in 1929 and took three stone carvers about 14 years until final completion. On Christmas Day 1944, the public was allowed to admire the Monolith and a crowd of 180,000 people packed the wooden canopy to get a closer look at the creation. The shed was destroyed shortly afterwards. The tower body of the Monolith is 14.12 meters (46.32 ft) high and consists of 121 sculptures that rise to the heavens. This idea was meant as a person's desire to become closer to something spiritual and divine. The ensemble depicts a feeling of intimacy as the human figures embrace each other and are led towards salvation.
Wheel of Life
At the end of 850 meters of the longitudinal coordinates of the park, a sundial, forged in 1930, and, finally, a Wheel of Life, handmade from 1933-34, were erected. The wheel more or less resembles a wreath depicting four people and a child, infinitely happy in their harmony. This symbol of eternity encapsulates the main idea of the park: the journey of man from the cradle to burial.
Museums
In the southern part of the park there are two museums - the Vigeland Museum, where you can see other sculptures, as well as drawings by the master, and the Museum of the History of the City of Oslo.
Opening hours
From September 1 to May 31, Tuesday to Sunday 12.00-16.00. Monday is a day off. From June 1 to August 31, Tuesday to Sunday 10.00-17.00. Monday is a day off.
Entrance
Entrance to the park is paid. General ticket 50 CZK, discounted ticket and child ticket (from 7 years old) 25 CZK, children under 7 years old free.
How to get there
The Vigeland Sculpture Park is located at Nobels gate 32. The closest metro station to the park is Majorstuen. You can also get there by bus 20, 112 or tram 12, stop at Vigelandsparken.
The sculptures for Vigeland Park were created between 1907 and 1942, although some fragments became available to the public much earlier. Thus, the first part of the park area - the hundred-meter Bridge - was opened to visitors in 1940, and latest compositions were installed only in 1947. In total, there are 227 sculptural groups, which together represent a reflection of the master’s philosophical beliefs, a kind of “Bible” of his.
But it’s worth starting the story about the history of the park with the biography of the author. Gustav Vigeland, one of the most productive Norwegian sculptors, was born in 1869. From an early age he studied wood carving, and before reaching adulthood he managed to become a real professional in plaster modeling. The master presented his first significant work to the audience at the age of 20 - it was the composition Hagar and Ishmael based on the Hebrew Torah. Afterwards, the sculptor left his native place many times to study with foreign masters; in particular, he studied the works of the best representatives of the Renaissance in, and was a student of Rodin in.
In 1905, when it became independent, Vigeland received a large government order for images of the great Norwegians who distinguished themselves in science, art and culture. And in 1924, he began creating a park - the main work of his life (although some sculptures were completed earlier).
It happened like this: in the early 20s of the 20th century, on the site of the house where Gustav Vigeland lived, the city administration decided to build a library. In exchange, the sculptor was given other housing, but he also secured a large plot of land in Frogner Park for his work. The authorities agreed on the condition that all subsequent works by the Norwegian genius would belong to the city. This is how Vigeland Park appeared, which became a platform for creative experiments for the sculptor, and an interesting tourist attraction for the city.
Vigeland worked on the creation of the park until his death. He tried to depict in bronze and stone the whole of human life with its passions, relationships, struggle with sins and the desire for something higher. Many figures still cause controversy to this day about what exactly the master wanted to say. There is even an opinion that some compositions reflected elements of Nazi philosophy, because they were discovered at the height of the occupation of Norway fascist troops. But this is unlikely to be true - the idea of the park came to Vigeland long before the opportunity to bring it to life arose. And many sculptural groups were created years before their installation. For example, the gates, forged back in 1933-1937, took their place only in 1943.
But be that as it may, the controversial park has continued to surprise, intrigue and delight tourists for more than half a century. For local Norwegians, it is simply a beautiful and pleasant vacation spot, where it is good to take a walk on the weekend or have a picnic.
How to get there
Vigeland Park is located in the western part of Oslo, in the middle of the large green area of Frogner Park. The main entrance is located on Kirkeveien street.
Exact address: Nobels gate 32, Oslo.
Option 1
Metro: on any line to Majorstuen station.
On foot: walk 7 minutes along Kirkeveen street to the park entrance.
Option 1
Bus: Routes No. 20 and N12 to the Frogner stadion stop.
On foot: walk 3 minutes along Kirkeveen street to the park entrance.
Option 1
Tram: Route No. 12 to the Vigelandsparken stop.
For those traveling by car: parking is available both at the main entrance and on the western side of the park.
Vigeland Park on the map
Park features
Vigeland Park is one of the 24-hour and completely free attractions in Oslo. It is open 24 hours a day, and you only need a ticket if you want to visit the museum, located in a separate building, with plaster casts, sketches and other works by Gustav Vigeland.
The park itself is an open-air museum with an area of about 30 hectares. All the sculptures here are located along one axis, which stretches from central entrance across a hundred-meter bridge to the fountain and from there to the hill with the composition “Monolith”. The axis of the park ends with the philosophical sculpture “Wheel of Life”, which symbolizes the continuity of the cycle of birth and death.
There are also several compositions and individual statues located away from the central axis. The largest of them is the “Clan” sculptural group of 21 figures, but it was not part of the original plan for the park and was installed only in 1988. Before that, the composition, made of plaster, was in the museum. If you set your goal to examine the main sculptures in the order that was originally intended by Vigeland, the shortest tourist route will be 850 meters.
At the entrance, just outside the main gate, there is an administrative center for visitors, where you can see a map of the park and find out all the necessary information. There is also a souvenir shop and a small cafe here. And the first sculpture that guests will see will be a monument to the founder - Gustav Vigeland. It's funny that his figure is the only one depicted in clothes - the rest of the statues in the park are completely naked. The master is dressed in a work suit, and in his hands he holds his main tools - a hammer and a chisel.
What to pay attention to
Main gate of the park- this is a whole complex of granite supports and openwork forged grilles, including 5 large gates and 2 smaller entrances for pedestrians. This entire composition was designed back in 1926, forged in the 30s, later modified many times and acquired its final form only a decade later. On both sides of the gate there are two houses with weather vanes on the roof - these are checkpoints.
Hundred Meter Bridge- one of the main structures that begins the central axis of the park. There are 58 sculptures installed on the granite parapets of the bridge. According to the author, they display different types and manifestations of human temperament. Here you can find statues symbolizing sanguine people, phlegmatic people, choleric people and melancholic people. The most famous figure of the bridge is the so-called “Angry Kid” - a sculpture of a boy stomping his foot, clenching his fists in impotent rage. It is believed that Vigeland wanted to show with this figure the state of all of Norway during the period of fascist occupation. But be that as it may, today the “baby” can be considered an unofficial symbol of the park. It’s easy to infer his popularity from his polished palms - all visitors try to take his hand for a photo. It is also worth paying attention to the 4 granite columns of the bridge, on which there are figures of people fighting lizards - this symbolizes a person’s struggle with “inner demons” and sins.
Playground- the next zone of Vigeland Park, dedicated to the theme of childhood. Here you can see 8 figures of children playing, and in the center of the composition on a granite pedestal is a sculpture of an unborn child in a fetal position. Initially, the author planned to build a small pier for a children's ferry near the site, and for some time a boat sailed here, taking young visitors to the park for rides. But now the reservoir is completely given over to swans and ducks.
Vigeland Park Fountain- one of the central compositions, work on which was carried out for more than 30 years. This ensemble of 60 sculptural elements has the longest history, because Gustav Vigeland completed the original sketch back in 1906, after which he made numerous changes to it. The city authorities immediately liked the plaster model of the fountain, but finding a place for it was not so easy - first they wanted to install it near the parliament building, then near the Royal Palace. But none of the ideas were implemented until the appearance of the park. The fountain is a majestic composition framed by a granite parapet with images of the human life cycle. There are bronze statues of trees with figures woven into them - it is believed that they symbolize the eras of human life: childhood, youth, maturity and old age.
Plateau "Monolith"- the architectural dominant of the park and the highest point of its axis. Located on a hill, the “Monolith” is installed on a stone platform, steps and eight original forged gates lead to it. Around the central obelisk there are 36 sculptural groups, each with its own theme. The general idea of these compositions is to display different aspects of human relationships and different periods life. The “Monolith” itself is the most mysterious figure in the park - Vigeland called it “his religion.” The first sketches of an obelisk made of intertwined human bodies appeared back in 1919, and the sculptor created a clay model in 1924-1925, after which he decided to embody the idea in stone. For this purpose, a huge block was brought to the park, on which three stone carvers worked for 14 years. Only at the beginning of 1944, after Gustav’s death, the work was completed and the 14-meter obelisk was opened to spectators. What the master wanted to say with this sculpture remains unknown. According to the generally accepted point of view, the “Monolith”, as the tallest figure in the park, embodies man’s desire for God, for the highest purity. At its top there is a figurine of a baby, and this is symbolic.
Wheel of Life- a sculpture at the end of the central axis of the park, made in 1933-1934. It is a wreath of the bodies of several adults and a child, woven in the form of a garland. This is a symbol of eternity and the continuous cycle of life - an idea that has always occupied the sculptor and has been embodied more than once in his work.
- Vigeland Park is very beautiful in the evenings, when the lights come on and the sculptures look especially mysterious. Therefore, if you are limited in time, you can leave a walk around it for the evening, when the museums and most other attractions in Oslo are already closed. But we still recommend looking here in daylight and seeing the unusual figures in all their glory.
- Since the area of the park is about 30 hectares, it is better for tourists to wear comfortable shoes without heels. To view all the sculptural groups, you will have to walk a lot. True, there are benches to rest here, and if you haven’t calculated your strength, it’s okay.
- Tourists should note that all the statues in the park, with the exception of the Vigeland monument, are naked human bodies. Local residents come here with their whole family, including children, but we must not forget about the difference in mentality. More explicit monuments are by no means uncommon.
- The park should be perceived not so much as an architectural ensemble, but as a reflection of the artist’s philosophical views. All the sculptures here are allegorical, all depict certain emotions, suffering, aspirations. If you remember this, even the most unusual statues suddenly take on meaning.
Today, Vigeland Park is the world's largest open-air collection of one author's work. It is one of a kind, and for that reason alone it is worth visiting. It is also a pleasant place where you can have a picnic on the green lawn or just admire the greenery and flowers. Here you can continue your tour of interesting places Oslo, because in the territory of Frogner Park, in addition to original sculptures, there is the Oslo Museum, two beautiful reservoirs and the original Skøytemuseet - an ice skating museum.
The next day of our stay in Oslo, quite unexpectedly, warm, sunny weather set in. We did not fail to take advantage of this and, early in the morning, decided to go to see one of the most striking and significant attractions of Oslo - the Gustav Vigeland Sculpture Park.
Gustav Vigeland(1869 - 1943) Norwegian Michelangelo, whose tenacity one can only envy, because he, like his famous Florentine predecessor, devoted his entire life to the service of art. After studying in Europe, where he studied sculpture technology, Vigeland returned to his homeland of Norway and opened his own studio. In 1902, he entered into an agreement with the city authorities: he transferred the territory of his studio for the construction of a library, and in return received a new one, which after his death became a museum. But the main thing is that the authorities approve of his grandiose project of creating a sculpture park and, moreover, to finance it, they impose a special tax on the residents of Christiania (let me remind you: the then name of Oslo).
Vigeland worked on this park for 40 (!!!) years, even the Second World War did not stop him world war. He died in 1943, and the development of the park was completed only in 1950. In 1947, a museum was opened in Vigeland’s workshop, next to the park, and an urn with his ashes is kept here.
01. Sunny Oslo is especially pleasing: 
02.I liked that in many places in Oslo they sell a variety of flowers. This gives coziness and color to the city: 
03. Unusual building: 
04. Cinema with an eloquent name: 
05. Sculpture (mostly nude) can be found everywhere in Oslo. I really liked this one. On the right in the photo is a monument to Charlie Chaplin: 
06. We entered Vigeland Park. We will return here again later, only on bicycles: 
07. Gustav Vigeland Sculpture Park - one of the most unusual and memorable attractions of the city - is located in fashionable area Frogen. About a million tourists come here every year. The entire complex covers an area of 32 hectares and displays a total of 650 bronze, granite and wrought iron figures created by Gustav Vigeland: 
08. A 100 m long bridge leads across the Frogner Pool, on the granite parapets of which there are 58 bronze sculptures, united by the theme of human relationships: mother and child, woman and man, two love each other, quarrel, remain indifferent: 
09. Funny laughing baby: 
10. Frogner Backwater: 
11. Dancing girl: 
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13. And this sculpture looks like a confrontation between a man and a woman, or maybe it means something else... Everyone speculates for themselves: 
14. Love. Yin and yang. And on the right is a sculpture "Angry Boy"- the most famous sculpture park, which has become one of the symbols of Oslo: 
15. There is even a small waterfall: 
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17. The elderly Frau gave her charges a drink, and then leaned over to drink from the fountain herself: 
18. The next part of the park is a platform with a fountain. From a distance, the fountain looks like a huge water tree: jets of water fall like branches (for some reason they were not visible that day). This is a kind of tree of life. Main topic compositions - the relationship between man and nature. Water - ancient symbol fertility, femininity. The fountain bowl is supported by huge stone male figures: 
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20. Unusual sculptures are installed on the parapet of the pool: human bodies are intertwined with trees, and reliefs on the walls of the pool recreate mythological scenes with the participation of people and animals: 
21. Fragment of a fountain: death separating two people: 
22. The steps behind the fountain lead to the third, most expressive part of the park - the Monolith, which is a huge column (17 m) of woven stone bodies. Interpretations of this object are numerous: one can see in it the theme eternal struggle for existence, and the desire for higher spiritual spheres, the cycle of life, and perhaps a phallic symbol. The monolith is surrounded by 120 figures, symbolizing the various stages of human life, from birth to death: 
23. View of the park from the Monolith: 
24. Photo for memory: 
25. Old age is shown here - the decline of human life: 
26. View from the side of the Monolith of another Vigeland sculpture: “Wheel of Life”: 
27. Sculpture in the foreground: a man tears a woman apart (?) In general, it seemed to me that this sculpture symbolizes violence: 
28. The same sculpture from a different angle. I was amazed by its power and dynamics. And in the background, the daughter is doing her mother’s hair: 
29. The gate with female figures created a bizarre pattern of shadows on the asphalt. On the opposite side are the same, but with male figures: 
30. View of the Monolith 
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32. We left Gustav Vigeland Park. The Frogner district, where it is located, is considered respectable and prestigious. Here are rich villas, embassies of many countries, including Russian Federation. Walking along it is a pleasure: 
33. Everything around is well-groomed, surrounded by greenery and pleasing to the eye: 
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36. In a small open-air cafe in the city, we decided to take a break and drink coffee with a bun (just the way I like it :). Newspaper in Norwegian like this, for the surroundings: 
37. I like to watch people, especially in other cities. so I take pictures on the sly: 
38. I really liked the Norwegians (I already wrote about this in a previous post). They are relaxed, smiling and, in my opinion, know how to appreciate life: 
39. In the park near the Royal Palace. It's good to just sit on the grass: 
40. Royal Palace from the rear facade. The front one was covered in scaffolding because it was being repaired: 
41. A little more of the Royal Garden: 
42. I look with interest at the monument to Princess Martha: 
43. At first we mistook this particular building for the Royal Palace. But these turned out to be just shopping arcades (like the Moscow GUM): 
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45. Minimalistic concert hall Oslo: 
46. We came to the town hall again and this time decided to go inside. 
47. Inside the town hall is decorated with monumental frescoes, which are reminiscent of Soviet panels depicting a procession of workers and collective farmers: 
48. View of the Oslofjord from the town hall: 
49. Unusual lancet “windows” in the wall, reminiscent of Gothic ones: 
50. Halls for official receptions. Tapestries hung on the walls: 
51. Oslofjord: 
52. There are some meetings taking place in this room, but with whom and on what topic I still don’t understand: 
53. One of the many gifts from foreign countries. In this case, Japan: 
54. Not far from the town hall there is a tourist information center. There you can also take city tours. Sitting on a double-decker bus, you can listen to the history and architecture of Oslo, learn interesting facts about the Norwegians themselves, and just take a breeze through the city. In the photo is Christiania Square, where the Old Town Hall is located, one of the oldest city restaurants Det Gamle Radhus, the Old Christiania Museum and the Theater Museum: 
55. Apparently, these buildings under construction will subsequently become business centers, like our Moscow City. I don't like this style of architecture: 
56. Oslo train station area S: 
57. The guys decided to have a snack right during the work process: 
58.National Theater (1899), built according to the design of Heinrich Bull. The main entrance to the theater is “guarded” by statues of Norwegian playwrights B. Bjornson and H. Ibsen: 
59. City pond and sculpture of a naked boy: 
60. The most famous street of the capital, the shopping and pedestrian street Karl-Johansgate, begins here: 
61. Rainbow in the fountain: 
62. Even dogs in Oslo are well-behaved: after grabbing a stick thrown by the owner, the dog walks along a special path: 
63. Norwegian Parliament building or Storting:
64. The fashionable Grand Hotel, in whose rooms, among other things, future laureates stay Nobel Prize world: 
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66. The Royal Palace is visible in the background: 
67. There are always a lot of musicians, artists, magicians on Karl-Johansgat, in general, life is in full swing: 
68. I asked my husband to photograph his beloved: 
69. Cathedral of St. Ulava, where His Royal Highness Crown Prince Haakon and his wife Mette-Marit were also married: 
70. On the left is the oldest store in Oslo: 
71. In the courtyards: 
72. I love city lights: 
73. Surreal structure: 
It rained the whole next day. It was my husband's birthday, and we decided to ride bicycles and in the morning go to the outdoor pool near Gustav Vigeland Park. The idea, as it turned out later, was not very good, because... The water temperature barely reached 24 degrees. Therefore, we were frozen and quickly retreated from there. Yes, these are not hot Icelandic pools and hot Vikings around. All afternoon I struggled with two conflicting feelings: laziness and reluctance to get wet in the rain, discovering new sights in Oslo, and the desire not to upset and disappoint my husband. I’ll be honest: I didn’t really struggle with the first contradiction.
Memorable photos from the birthday:
A waterfall in Oslo, for which we climbed the mountain for a long time and I almost lost weight: 
A photo of us together, taken by some Norwegian of Chinese descent. The joy of the trip and the weather was imprinted on my face: 
The next day we left for Bergen. More on this in the next post!