Kvadraturen district

The hand pointing towards the centre of the fountain means that you’re standing at the spot where everything started. Or rather, where everything restarted. Right here, Danish King Christian IV decided to rebuild the city after the great fire of 1624. It was located next to the Akershus Fortress and named Christiana in honour of himself. Legend has it, he pointed and declared, ‘The new city shall be here!’” Here, in the Renaissance-style district in the historic city center, known as Kvadraturen, you’ll find the oldest buildings in Oslo. For example, that large orange house you just passed on your right was once the old city hall of Christiania, and today it’s been transformed into a restaurant.