Scandinavia in a Nutshell

Here are a variety of web links to sites that provide additional information on Oslo, Norway; Copenhagen, Denmark; and Stockholm, Sweden.  Many sites list the same attraction, but may give additional information or a new perspective.

Oslo, Norway

OSLO, NORWAY

Rick Steves Oslo Travel Guide – contains information on sites to see and ways (watch, read, listen) to get familiar with Oslo.

Trip Advisor’s Top Ten Oslo – get lists and reviews of museums, historic sites, parks, and more.  Click on “See All” for more complete listing.

Oslo’s 10 Top Attractions

12 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions and Things to Do in Oslo – Planet Ware.

Copenhagen, Denmark

COPENHAGEN, DENMARK

Rick Steves Copenhagen Travel Guide – contains information on sites to see and ways (watch, read, listen) to get familiar with Copenhagen.

Trip Advisor’s Things to Do in Copenhagen

Top 30 Attractions in Copenhagen

Top 10 Free Things to Do in Copenhagen – Lonely Planet

Best Things to Do in Copenhagen – US News and World Report

12 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions and Things to Do in Copenhagen – Planet Ware

Things to Do in Copenhagen – 10 Best Lists from USA Today

Top Ten Free Things to Do in Copenhagen – Conde Nast Traveler

Stockholm, Sweden

STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN

Rick Steves Stockholm Travel Guide – contains information on sites to see and ways (watch, read, listen) to get familiar with Stockholm.

Trip Advisor’s Things to Do in Stockholm

12 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions and Things to Do in Stockholm – Planet Ware

21 Stunning Things to Do in Stockholm

8 Best Things to Do in Stockholm – US News and World Report

Top 15 Attractions and Things to Do in Stockholm

Stockholm’s Must Dos – National Geographic City Guide

Stockholm: 10 Things to Do – Time

Top Things to Do in Stockholm – Lonely Planet

MAPS

Oslo City Map – Click to enlarge an area

Copenhagen City Map – Click to enlarge an area

Stockholm City Map – Click to enlarge an area

Scandinavia…in general

Rick Steves Travel Talk: Scandinavia – video travel class

Vigeland Sculpture Park – Oslo, Norway

Oslo is home to the world’s largest sculpture park with over 200 statues created by a single artist – Gustav Vigeland (1869-1943).  Although Vigeland also designed and completed the layout of the park over a 10-year period, it represents his lifework.  But, be prepared…it’s not your typical park!

Vigeland Sculpture Park

More accurately called the Vigeland installation at Frogner Park, the sculpture area covers 80 acres and is home to 212 bronze, granite, and cast iron sculptures.  The 100-metre long Bridge lined with 58 sculptures connects the Main Gate and “The Fountain” to “The Monolith” beyond.

The twisty, twirly statues in the park are organized in a straight-line axis about the length of two football fields.  As you walk, you’re supposed to be following mankind’s journey through life – from the cradle to the grave.

The sculptures represent one man’s exploration of the human form at every age of man…from babies to old men and women.

"Man Attacked by Babies"

The sculptures feature humans in everyday activities, such as walking, sitting, and holding hands to the more abstract and bizarre, such as “Man Attacked by Babies” and a relief where a skeleton emerges from between two entwined lovers.

The highlight of the park is “The Fountain,” originally designed to stand in front of the Norwegian Parliament.  But the location proved controversial with its 60 individual bronze reliefs representing the circle of life and 20 tree sculptures of children, teenagers, old men, and skeletons.

The bronze statue of the little “Angry Boy” is one the most famous statues as is the Monolith and the Wheel of Life.  You’ll find the little boy statue on the bridge.

"The Monolith"

“The Monolith” is the focal point of the park.  The 46-foot high sculpture features 121 entwined human figures, meant to represent the human desire to reach out to the divine.  It took the sculpture 14 years to create with the help of three other stone carvers.  In addition, 36 sculptural groups reside on the plateau along with the monolith.

“The Wheel of Life” is a sundial positioned at the end of the 850-meter axis representing eternity with four human figures and a baby locked in a circle, floating in harmony.

And did I mention that all these outdoor sculptures are…well, nude—every one of them.  Be prepared for an eye-opening experience!

Enjoy this “Walk Through Vigeland Park” video.

Viking Ship Museum – Oslo, Norway

The Viking Ship Museum just outside of Oslo, Norway, on the Bygdøy peninsula houses the world’s best preserved Viking ships and finds from Viking tombs around the Oslo Fjord.

It shows discoveries from the Gokstad, Oseberg and Tune ships, plus small boats, sledges, a beautiful cart, tools, textiles and household utensils.

Gokstad ship

Unearthed by two teenagers in 1879, the Gokstad ship was built around 900 AD and later used as a burial ship for a powerful man.  The ship was very seaworthy and well suited for voyages across the open sea.  The ship is constructed from oak timbers and is about 23 meters long and about 5 meters wide.  It was equipped with 32 shields hanging on either side of the boat and painted alternately in gold and black.  In the burial chamber lay the body of a man in his 40s.  Signs of cutting blows to both legs indicate he died in battle.

Grave robbers have long since plundered the grave; no weapons or jewelry were found among the burial gifts.  However, the finds included a game board with game pieces, a harness fitting of iron, lead and gilded bronze, kitchen utensils, six beds, a tent, a sledge, and three small boats.  Also buried in the grave were 12 horses, eight dogs, two peacocks, and two goshawks. 

Oseberg ship

Discovered in 1903, the Oseberg ship was built around 820 AD.  The ship is constructed from oak timbers and is decorated with beautiful carvings.  The ship is about 22 meters long and about 5 meters wide.  The ship was fully manned with a crew of thirty oarsmen, a helmsman, and a lookout.

The ship was used as a burial ship for two powerful women.  The elder of them was between the ages of 70 and 80 when she died; the younger was a little over the age of 50.  On their final journey to the realm of the dead, the two women were given a fantastic collection of burial gifts: including three elaborate sleds, a cart, five carved animal-head posts, five beds with various tapestries, along with 15 horses, six dogs, and two cows. 

Tune ship

The Tune ship was discovered in 1867, and that makes it the first Viking ship to be discovered and preserved in modern times.  The ship was clinker-built of oak and dates back to about 910 AD.  The Tune ship was probably a fast, ocean-going vessel.  The remains of a man’s body was found in the burial chamber.  Among the artefacts found in the grave were the remains of weapons and a suit of chain mail, pieces of a ski, and the skeletons of three horses.  This ship is exhibited as it was found as early archaeological digs did not preserve finds very well. 

Enjoy this 24-minute Virtual Field Trip at the Viking Ship Museum in Oslo video with a narrative by a Norwegian archaeologist telling about the Oseberg and Gokstad ships and Viking history.  It was streamed live 24 January 2017.

A special interactive film exhibit opens beside the Tune ship in April 2017 as visitors experience the Viking Age in 3D projected on the ceiling and back wall.

The ticket for the Viking Ship Museum is actually good for two museums in one.  With this ticket you can also obtain free entry to the Historical Museum within 48 hours.