BEAUTIFUL CITY HALLS

                                      Masterpieces Themselves

                            

  OSLO’S Radhuset

Scandinavian city halls are spectacular, nothing like dreary work buildings elsewhere. We were stunned at the gorgeous insides of all the city halls in the capitols of the area. City halls, instead of churches, dominate cities in the northern corner of Europe. In Oslo city hall is the political center and the workplace for 450 municipal employees and politicians.

            The proposal for the Oslo’s City Hall was made in 1915, but because it was in a slum area it was denied.  A competition for the building was held in 1918. The foundation for the Radhuset was poured 1931 when the slum was torn down. The building was interrupted by WW II and not completed until 1951----to celebrate the city’s 900^th birthday. In the main hall a colorful 20,000-square-foot mural shows folks, country folk and all peoples, working harmoniously for a better society. The hall has a 20-meter-high ceiling and floor space of 1500 square meters. The twin towers are of red brick. Outside the entrance, under the overhang, the walls showcase carved wooden reliefs of Norse mythology. 

Three resident artists have access to studios at the top of the tower.

On December 10 every year, the traditional ceremony for the Nobel Laureate is held in the Oslo City Hall.  The ceremony was moved to city hall in 1990 which can host 1000 guests.  Since 1905, members of the Norwegian Royal Family have been regular guests at the ceremony.

It is an amazing building.

DENMARK’S Radhus

            Denmark’s City Hall is the landmark between the train station, Tivoli, and the Stroget. The 345-foot high tower has 300 steps leading to the top. The tower’s carillon chimes its familiar tune all over the capital. The building is full of Danish symbolism inside and out. The golden statue is of Bishop Absalon, who founded Copenhagen more than 800 years ago. The Round Tower was built in 1642. Polar bears climbing on the roof represent Danish protection from Greenland. An iron gate in the center of the floor is an elevator for the transport of 1200 chairs.  The building itself was inspired by an equivalent building in Siena, Italy.

            Construction began in 1892, and the current building was inaugurated in 1905. The architect  designed it in National Romantic-style. It is dominated by its richly ornamented front, the gilded statue above the balcony and the tall, slim clock tower. In addition to the tower clock, the City Hall also houses Jens Olsen’s World Clock.  The architect used Italian Renaissance-style and  medieval Danish design.

            A fire in 1728 destroyed the original building. The second city hall was built in 1728 and destroyed by fire again in 1795.