Oslo City Hall
- Good on a rainy day
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Why go
- Henrik Sørensen's large mural in the main hall, and Alf Rolfsen's fresco on the east wall of the great hall
- The astronomical clock on the courtyard side, made by Ungerer & Cie with engineer Olaf Platou
- The carillon of 49 bronze bells in the east tower, which plays melodies at every hour
- Anne Grimdalen's sculpture of Harald Hardråde on horseback on the western wall
Opening hours
Today09:00 – 16:00Show all
Know before you go
- Open every day, Monday to Sunday, from 09:00 to 16:00.
- Open to everyone: it is the seat of the city's executive board and council.
- The main entrance is at Rathausplatz 1, in the middle of the building; enter on the Karl Johan side.
- The square in front can be rented, whole or in part, by application.
Tips for your visit
- The site offers information in English.
- Couples can get married in one of the building's rooms.
Best time to visit
- The Nobel Peace Prize is presented here every year on 10 December.
- The bells chime every hour, playing classical pieces and newer pop.
With kids
- The carillon in the east tower plays melodies at every hour, so the bells can be heard on the hour.
- The glockenspiel weighs about 20,000 kg and stands 66 m above ground.
Interesting facts8
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The bricks are bigger than was usual then, close to the size of medieval bricks.
Oslo City Hall - Wikipedia -
Both towers appear to be the same height because their tops are level with each other.
Oslo rådhus - Wikipedia -
Per Palle Storm made six free-standing figures of the craftsmen who built the building.
Oslo City Hall - Wikipedia -
Dagfin Werenskiold carved sixteen painted reliefs in the courtyard, known as the Yggdrasil frieze.
Oslo rådhus - Wikipedia -
1952
A picture of the building was used for the emblem of the 1952 Winter Games.
Hôtel de ville d'Oslo - Wikipedia -
On the Rathausplatz facade, a sandstone relief depicts three raftsmen working.
Rathaus Oslo - Wikipedia -
The glockenspiel has a weight of about 20,000 kg.
Oslo/Sentrum - Wikivoyage (see) -
Nils Flakstad, a sculptor, designed the zodiac signs on the clock.
Rathaus Oslo - Wikipedia
Shorts
History
- 1906Architect Oscar Hoff first proposed a city hall at the inner end of Pipervika.
- 1914Mayor Hieronymus Heyerdahl started a donation drive that proved very successful.
- 1918The jury chose the design of Arnstein Arneberg and Magnus Poulsson.
- 1931King Haakon VII attended the laying of the foundation stone.
- 1933Actual building work started.
Show all
- 1950Officially opened on 15 May, during the city's 900-year anniversary.
- 2000The carillon in the east tower grew from 38 to 49 bronze bells.
How to get there
- TrainReach it from T-Nationaltheateret station.
- TramTake tram 12 to Rådhusplassen.
- BusTake bus 70-74 to Vika, where the building is by the waterfront.
Accessibility
- Lift There is no public lift. Disabled visitors can ask staff to use the staff lift.
Sources: Oslo City Hall - Wikipedia · Oslo/Sentrum - Wikivoyage (see) · Oslo rådhus - Oslo kommune · Rathaus Oslo - Wikipedia · Hôtel de ville d'Oslo - Wikipedia · Oslo rådhus - Wikipedia · checked 25 Oct 2026
- Phone
- 21802180
Questions and answers
What are the opening hours of Oslo City Hall?
Oslo City Hall is open every day of the week, from 09:00 to 16:00. The building is open to everyone, as the seat of the city council.
How do I get to Oslo City Hall by public transport?
Take the train to T-Nationaltheateret station, or tram 12 to Rådhusplassen. Bus 70-74 runs to Vika, where the building stands by the waterfront.
Where is the main entrance of Oslo City Hall?
The main entrance is at Rathausplatz 1, in the middle of the building. Visitors enter on the Karl Johan side.
Is there a lift at Oslo City Hall for visitors with disabilities?
There is no public lift. Disabled visitors can ask the staff to use the staff lift.
Can you get married at Oslo City Hall?
Yes. Couples can get married in one of the building's rooms.
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