Located in the city's center, Oslo Cathedral is designed in the Dutch Baroque style. Built of stone mixed with red brick, the curved single-story building is designed with a chancel (front of the church) in the east, and a bell tower with a copper dome and a Renaissance-style spire. The church’s Neo-Gothic bronze doors date from the 19th century and feature motifs from the gospel of St. Matthew, added by Dagfin Werenskiold in 1938. (Valery Berata/Shutterstock)
Formerly known as Our Savior’s Church, Oslo Cathedral has been restored and renovated throughout the centuries.
Before the cathedral’s construction (1694–1697), the city already had two cathedrals, one dating from the 12th century and another from the early 17th century. In 1686, a city fire damaged an earlier cathedral, leading to the construction of a new church, this one in a cruciform shape. The diocese of Oslo consecrated the church in 1697 as its main church and the parish church for downtown Oslo.
Between 1848 and 1850, German architect Alexis de Chateauneuf began to replace the Baroque interior with a neo-Gothic interior, following 19th-century fashion, and added a tower. When Chateauneuf became ill, another German-born architect, Heinrich Ernst Schirmer, completed the project.
In the 1950s, Oslo Cathedral was restored to its original Baroque style in celebration of the city’s 900th anniversary. Under the direction of architect Arnstein Arneberg, some of the neo-Gothic elements were removed from the church hall, including the ceiling ribs, and some of the original furnishings were reinstalled. During that renovation period, Arneberg also designed the south side chapel, and artist Hugo Lous Mohr (1889–1970) painted the famous ceiling decorations. The cathedral was restored most recently from 2006 to 2010.
The cathedral’s impressive tower was added during the 1850s church renovation. The tower features Norway’s oldest working church clock, and a bell weighing about 3,527 pounds, taken from the former church, Hallvard Cathedral. The brick structure houses three smaller bells that also belonged to the Church of the Holy Trinity, and a carillon with 48 bells, acquired in 2003. (Kiev. Victor/Shutterstock)
Arnstein Arneberg restored the interior in the 1950s. The Norwegian architect brought back the original Baroque elements, including the 1699 pulpit, the 1700 altarpiece, and the 1726 baptismal font. He added an octagonal chapel, featuring a painted ceiling with religious motifs, stained-glass windows in the chancel, and 16 gray-shaded windows (grisaille) in the transept. The large chandelier dates from the 17th century and originally belonged to the Church of the Holy Trinity, Norway’s former main cathedral. (Mikhail Markovskiy/Shutterstock)
One of the most striking elements of the church is the large painted ceiling by Norwegian artist Hugo Lous Mohr. Painted between 1936 and 1950, the elaborate paintings contrast with the church’s plainer Lutheran style. The colorful murals and paintings depict Christ from his ministry to the final act of redemption. (Kiev.Victor/Shutterstock)
The balcony above the church’s entrance features a beautiful organ framed by painted apostles. The organ façade dates from 1729and is one of the most striking examples of the church’s former Baroque interior. Designed by Lambert Daniel Karsten and decorated by Torsten Ottesen Hoff, the façade was restored to its original green color and gilded motifs in the 20th century; renowned organ builder Jan Ryde built the current main organ for the church’s 300th anniversary in 1997. (Kiev.Victor/Shutterstock)
Located east of the main altar, the royal throne is another beautiful example of the church’s original Baroque furnishings. Built in 1700 when Frederik IV was the King of Denmark and Norway, the royal throne is in the lavish Baroque style, painted in a deep-green color and with gilded details, such as tassels and the royal initials of Haakon VII. The first throne was replaced during the reign of King Karl Johan (1763–1844); the king’s chair was preserved in 1850 as the only piece of Baroque furniture left in the neo-Gothic restoration. (Kiev.Victor/Shutterstock)
Spiral columns on each side frame the doors of the cathedral as seen when one leaves the church. Along the back and the side walls are tall, simply decorated arched glass windows and elegant wall sconces. The ceiling mural shows the triumph of Christ. (Kiev.Victor)
Would you like to see other kinds of arts and culture articles? Please email us your story ideas or feedback at [email protected]
