The Nationaltheatret is Norway's largest theatre and one of the most prominent buildings on Karl Johans gate, situated between the Royal Palace and Stortinget. It was designed by architect Henrik Bull in a baroque-influenced style with yellow brick and granite facades, and it opened on 1 September 1899.
Getting it built was not straightforward. The University of Oslo objected to placing a theatre in Studenterlunden park, arguing it was inappropriate to put a place of entertainment between the palace, the university and the parliament. Permission was finally granted in 1888, but only on the condition that the roof could not be higher than the university buildings and the entrance could not face towards them. Three names are carved into the facade above the main entrance: Holberg, Ibsen and Bjørnson, the three pillars of Norwegian dramatic literature. Statues of Ibsen and Bjørnson stand guard on either side. The theatre's first director was Bjørn Bjørnson, the son of Bjørnstjerne.
The building has been a protected cultural heritage site since 1983. Performances are mostly in Norwegian, but the building is worth admiring from the outside regardless.
Getting it built was not straightforward. The University of Oslo objected to placing a theatre in Studenterlunden park, arguing it was inappropriate to put a place of entertainment between the palace, the university and the parliament. Permission was finally granted in 1888, but only on the condition that the roof could not be higher than the university buildings and the entrance could not face towards them. Three names are carved into the facade above the main entrance: Holberg, Ibsen and Bjørnson, the three pillars of Norwegian dramatic literature. Statues of Ibsen and Bjørnson stand guard on either side. The theatre's first director was Bjørn Bjørnson, the son of Bjørnstjerne.
The building has been a protected cultural heritage site since 1983. Performances are mostly in Norwegian, but the building is worth admiring from the outside regardless.