Oslo City Hall - The building was constructed between 1931 and 1950, with an interruption during the Second World War. It was designed by architects Arnstein Arneberg and Magnus Poulsson. The building is located in the city center, in the northern part of the Pipervika neighborhood, and it faces Oslofjord. Oslo City Hall is built of red brick and has two towers, one 63 meters tall and other 66 meters tall. The bricks used are larger than what was typical at the time of construction, but they are roughly the same size as bricks used in the Middle Ages. The bricks, measuring approximately 27.5 × 13 × 8.5 cm, were produced by Hovin Teglverk in Oslo. The eastern tower has a carillon set of 49 bells. Various events and ceremonies take place in the building, notably the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony, which takes place every December. FREE entrance! FREE bathrooms!

Impressive interior. The outside of the building does not give away what the inside will look like. The artwork is impressive with significant detail. This venue is free to visit. You do need to go through security (airport style) before entering. Visit time 30-45 minutes.

The Oslo City Hall is located near the harbor front. It is easy to reach by public transportation and is only a short walk from the downtown area. With a few exceptions the City Hall is open every day and after passing security, guests are free to take a closer look. The building was inaugurated in 1950 and is really beautifully decorated inside. We visited on a beautiful day and enjoyed some great views of the fjord. Admission is free.

We visited as part of our walking tour. There is a lovely fountain at the main entrance. The inside has walls painted murals showing the history of Oslo you really need a guide to explain it all to you. Well worth a visit, looks plain from the outside but amazing inside.

Although the exhibit on the Nobel Peace Prize is mildly interesting, the floor-to-ceiling murals outshine it. Painted by various artists between 1940 and 1949, the murals depict events from Norwegian history and myth. Dominating the long wall in the main foyer, one mural shows the suffering Norway endured under the Quisling government during the Nazi occupation. Outside, wood bas reliefs recount scenes from Norwegian myths and legends. Because the building houses the city government chambers, it's a popular wedding venue. Find a spot on the benches on the long wall and watch brides and their attendants file up and down the stairs. The back windows offer a striking view of the harbor.

At the time of my visiting the city hall was closing (It was around 17.00 pm). The building is made with red bricks, it's quite imposing. What I loved the most was the area around it. There are cafes, fountains, children playing.. Great atmosphere. This is the place where once a year, to be precise December 10, they give the Nobel Peace Price. Next time I'd like to see the interior.

Building itself nothing special from the outside, upon entrance you start to feel more exited with golden statue, monuments etc. Once you enter the building you become memorized with the murals and artwork on the walls, some floor to ceiling. The main hall stunning with the tiled floor and the staircase leading to level 1. It's not a large area so you can easily do it in under an hour.

If you appreciate art at all, especially large scale public art, don’t miss spending an hour or two in the Oslo City Hall. Check out the web site for hours and entry requirements (ID and security screening not a problem). They offer free guided tours with hrs somewhat limited so plan ahead; see website for times, no reservations required. The tour takes you through all the public spaces with a focus on the many VERY impressive murals. They are colorful, beautifully executed by Norwegian artists, covering from floor to high ceiling in many cases, as well as the ceiling in a number of rooms. The extensive murals covering 3 walls of the main entry hall tell various parts of the city’s history and are very impressive. Don’t miss the large deeply carved wooden bas reliefs on both sides of the exterior walls before you enter the building. They each have a plaque explaining the story or myth behind each carving.