Karl Johans gate

Karl Johans gate is the main street of the city of Oslo, Norway. The street was named in honor of King Charles III John, who was also King of Sweden as Charles XIV John.

Karl Johans gate is a composite of several older streets that used to be separate thoroughfares. The eastern section was part of Christian IV's original city near the ramparts surrounding the city. When the ramparts were removed to make way for Oslo Cathedral, three separate sections eventually became Østre Gade.

The wider western section was built during the 1840s as an avenue connecting the newly erected Norwegian Royal Palace with the rest of the city. In 1852, it was named Karl Johans gate in honor of the recently deceased king. His equestrian statue, by sculptor Brynjulf Bergslien, was later erected during 1875 in front of the Royal Palace. When the Norwegian parliament building was completed in 1866 at the junction of the two formerly separate streets, the two streets were joined and the whole length was named Karl Johans gate.

In its current route, it connects Oslo Central Station, the main railroad station in Oslo, and the Royal Palace. The route changes its direction and width slightly halfway between these two points, at Egertorget, a square at the intersection of Karl Johans gate and Øvre Slottsgate. This is the highest point and, here, both ends of the street may be seen. The street is 1,020 metres long; in addition there are 300 metres of direct extensions, Palace Hill (Slottsbakken) and Palace Place (Slottsplassen).

The street includes many of Oslo's tourist attractions: In addition to the Royal Palace, Central Station and Stortinget, there are the National Theatre, the old University Buildings, the Palace Park and the pond ("Spikersuppa") at Eidsvolls plass, which serves as a skating rink in winter. Oslo Cathedral's lower end is surrounded by the Bazaar Market (Basarene ved Oslo domkirke), which is integrated with the historic Fire Watch (Brannvakta) that served as Oslo's main fire station from 1860 until 1939.

Listed in the following categories:
Post a comment
Tips & Hints
Arrange By:
Ingvild M. Plosiv
23 November 2014
Spikersuppa is the place to go at winter time. Go ice skating at the ice rink in the middle of the city and have a hot chocolate at The Room Paleet afterwards. Romantic and fun!
Estefanía Limón
5 July 2015
In the summer, the kids can play in the fountains and in the wintee they can skate in the same place :)
Cenker Köse
3 June 2018
“The Street” or “that street” of Oslo, which brings you the nicest square of Oslo.
Abdulla7
4 November 2015
Left and right all great shop! Liked the street and no cars allowed here
Kentucky'nin Yerlisi S.
Her bir bina sanatsal bir eser görünümünde. En merkezü cadde burası. Vigiland parka be Songsvan gölüne de gitmelisiniz. iyi gezmeler.
Alex J
23 July 2018
melhor rua de pedestres da cidade, que a propósito ė uma das mais caras do mundo
Load more comments
foursquare.com
8.1/10
Vadim I, Tatiana Istratova and 26,504 more people have been here

Hotels nearby

See all hotels See all
Best Western Plus City Hotel

starting $288

Scandic Oslo City

starting $318

Comfort Hotel Karl Johan

starting $223

Thon Hotel Astoria

starting $177

Clarion Hotel Royal Christiania

starting $110

Comfort Hotel Xpress Central Station

starting $212

Recommended sights nearby

See all See all
Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Det Norske Teatret

Det Norske Teatret is a theatre in Oslo. The theatre was founded in

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Oslo Cathedral

Oslo Cathedral (Oslo domkirke, previously the Our Savior's Church) was

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Nationaltheatret

Nationaltheatret ('The National Theatre') is one of Norway's largest

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
National Museum of Art, Architecture and Design

The National Museum of Art, Architecture and Design (Norwegian:

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Norway's Resistance Museum

Norway's Resistance Museum (Norwegian: Norges Hjemmefrontmuseum), also

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Akershus Fortress

Akershus Fortress (Norwegian: Akershus Festning) or Akershus Castle

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Royal Palace, Oslo

The Royal Palace (Norwegian: Slottet or formally Det kongelige slott)

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Oslo Opera House

The Oslo Opera House (in Norwegian, Operahuset) is the seat of The

Similar tourist attractions

See all See all
Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Christmas Steps, Bristol

Christmas Steps is a historic street in the city centre of Bristol,

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
İstiklal Avenue

İstiklal Avenue or Istiklal Street (Turkish: İstiklâl Caddesi, Fr

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Nevsky Prospect

Nevsky Avenue (rus. Не́вский проспе́кт|r=Nevsky Prospekt|p=ˈnʲef

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Khreshchatyk

Khreshchatyk (українська. Хрещатик, Khreshchatyk; русский. Крещатик

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Stone Stairway Street

Stone Stairway Street is a tourist attraction, one of the Famous

See all similar places