The University of Oslo

The historic University of Oslo

The historic University of Oslo is the oldest institution of higher education of Norway, on the Karl Johan avenue. The Oslo audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this ensemble of neoclassical buildings, a high place of knowledge of the country.

The oldest university of Norway

The ensemble of buildings seen on the Karl Johan avenue is that of the historic University of Oslo, the oldest and largest institution of higher education of Norway. It was founded at the beginning of the nineteenth century, at a time when the country was asserting its identity. Its elegant neoclassical buildings, aligned along the main avenue, shelter notably the aula, the great state hall, which was once the place of the presentation of the Nobel Peace Prize. The university trained great figures of the country and played an essential role in Norwegian intellectual life. It is a major monument of the centre of Oslo.

What to see

You admire the ensemble of elegant neoclassical buildings aligned along the Karl Johan avenue, including the aula that was once the place of the presentation of the Nobel Peace Prize, the oldest university of Norway. The historic University is a high place of knowledge of Oslo. It is a stop for those curious about history, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The historic University of Oslo lies on the Karl Johan avenue, in the heart of the town, reachable on foot and by public transport. You mainly admire its façades from the avenue; the interior access follows its own uses. You discover it during a walk in the centre.

What is particular about the historic University of Oslo?

It is the oldest and largest institution of higher education of Norway, founded at the beginning of the nineteenth century; its aula was once the place of the presentation of the Nobel Peace Prize.

Where is the historic University of Oslo?

On the Karl Johan avenue, in the heart of Oslo, in Norway.