Stortinget - "The big thing"

Stortinget – the Norwegian parliament

The big thing – that is what it means, but then you have to look at what “thing” means. “Thing” – or “ting” in Norwegian – comes from Norse þing which was the governing assembly of the Germanic society. A thing was made up of the free people of the community, presided over by lagmenn (lawspeakers).

Stortinget was established in 1814 by the Constitution of Norway, the same year as Norway entered the union with Sweden. The unicameral parliament is elected every four years and has 169 members. But I’m not going to talk about politics or how legislation works in Norway. I’m going to talk about the building.

Løvebakken (The Lion Hill)

Address: Karl Johans gate 22. It was finished and taken into use on the 5^th of March 1866 and designed by the Swedish architect Emil Victor Langlet. However, he was not the winner of the architectural competition. The parliament decided to scrap the original winners, because their proposal looked too much like a church. And they chose the proposal of the Swedish architect because of the oval shape of the plenary chamber. 

Originally the idea of building such a building was voted down in 1833, but in 1836 the work to establish a parliament building was started. Twelve lots where picked out in the center of Oslo, all between the Royal Castle and the Oslo East station. The government decided on building in the Palace Park, and this was passed by the parliament.

Between 1814 and 1854, the legislature used Christiania lærde Skole, on the corner of Dronningens gate and Tollbodgaten. From 1854 until they moved into Stortinget, they met at Det kongelige Frederiks Universitet (The Royal Frederik University).

The Royal Frederik University

During World War II, the assembly relocated and held two meetings in Norway, one in Hamar and one in Elverum. The rest of their meetings during the war, were held abroad. The building was taken over by German forces. First it was used as barracks. Later Reichskommissar Josef Terboven moved in with his administration.

Løvebakken

The building is made from yellow brick with details in light gray granite. With inspiration both from France and Italy, the building is a combination of several styles.

Statue: King Kristian Frederik

Today the building is much more than just the Parliament. It’s a landmark and a park, a meeting point and a “must see” for most tourists. Many like to sit on a bench or on the grass to enjoy the sun on their break from work or when they pass by. The rosebushes along the lawn are magnificent in the summer. So, yes, it’s a “must see”