Frognerkilen
Encyclopedia
Frognerkilen is a bay in the inner Oslofjord
, east of the Bygdøy
peninsula.
Its name stems from the neighbourhood Frogner
, a name which was taken from a farm. It was formerly known, with Bestumkilen
, under the name of Ladegaardsfjordene. This stems from older times, when Bygdøy was an island, named Ladegaardsøen. Bygdøy later became a peninsula due to post-glacial rebound
, separating Bestumkilen from Frognerkilen. Propositions to reconnect Bestumkilen and Frognerkilen through a canal
were made in 1928 and 1937, but not carried out. It was an important shipping port for timber in the 17th and 18th centuries, but today a large part of the bay is used as a harbour for leisure boats.
During the winter, Frognerkilen was used as a venue for harness racing
—from 1875 to the 1920s—as well as speed skating
in the pioneer days before 1900. A skating competition between Axel Paulsen
and van der Zee from Holland on Frognerkilen in 1885, when van der Zee challenged Paulsen for his title "amateur champion of the world", attracted approximately 30,000 spectators. Kristiania Skøiteklub
had Frognerkilen as its competition arena until Frogner stadion
was opened in 1901.
Frognerkilen was also a popular site of boat sports. The rowing
club Christiania RK
had its headquarters at the mainland, in a locality known as "Kongen" ('The King'), whereas the Royal Norwegian Yacht Club
had its headquarters at the opposite shore of Frognerkilen, in a locality known as "Dronningen" ('The Queen'). Frognerkilen was formerly trafficked by ferry
; one ferry sailed between the railway station at Skarpsno
and Oscarshall
at Bygdøy, and the other sailed between Skillebekk and Kongen. Also, Frognerkilen was probably the site where Fiskerlivets farer, depicting perils at sea, was filmed. Released in 1908, it is considered to be the Norwegian drama film.
Oslofjord
The Oslofjord is a bay in the south-east of Norway, stretching from an imaginary line between the Torbjørnskjær and Færder lighthouses and down to Langesund in the south to Oslo in the north....
, east of the Bygdøy
Bygdøy
Bygdøy or Bygdø is a peninsula on the western side of Oslo, Norway. Administratively, Bygdøy belongs to the borough of Frogner.Bygdøy has several museums, like the Kon-Tiki Museum, which shows all year long the legendary expeditions of Thor Heyerdahl; the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History ; the...
peninsula.
Its name stems from the neighbourhood Frogner
Frogner
Frogner is a borough of the city of Oslo, Norway. In addition to traditional Frogner, the borough incorporates Bygdøy, Uranienborg and Majorstuen....
, a name which was taken from a farm. It was formerly known, with Bestumkilen
Bestumkilen
Bestumkilen is a bay in Lysakerfjorden in the inner Oslofjord.Located west of the Bygdøy peninsula and east of Vækerø, it is bordered by the islet Killingen in the southwest and the mouth of the river Hoffselva at Sjølyst in the northeast. It was formerly known, together with Frognerkilen, under...
, under the name of Ladegaardsfjordene. This stems from older times, when Bygdøy was an island, named Ladegaardsøen. Bygdøy later became a peninsula due to post-glacial rebound
Post-glacial rebound
Post-glacial rebound is the rise of land masses that were depressed by the huge weight of ice sheets during the last glacial period, through a process known as isostasy...
, separating Bestumkilen from Frognerkilen. Propositions to reconnect Bestumkilen and Frognerkilen through a canal
Canal
Canals are man-made channels for water. There are two types of canal:#Waterways: navigable transportation canals used for carrying ships and boats shipping goods and conveying people, further subdivided into two kinds:...
were made in 1928 and 1937, but not carried out. It was an important shipping port for timber in the 17th and 18th centuries, but today a large part of the bay is used as a harbour for leisure boats.
During the winter, Frognerkilen was used as a venue for harness racing
Harness racing
Harness racing is a form of horse racing in which the horses race at a specific gait . They usually pull a two-wheeled cart called a sulky, although racing under saddle is also conducted in Europe.-Breeds:...
—from 1875 to the 1920s—as well as speed skating
Speed skating
Speed skating, or speedskating is a competitive form of ice skating in which the competitors race each other in traveling a certain distance on skates. Types of speed skating are long track speed skating, short track speed skating, and marathon speed skating...
in the pioneer days before 1900. A skating competition between Axel Paulsen
Axel Paulsen
Axel Paulsen was a Norwegian figure skater and speed skater. He is the inventor of the figure skating Axel jump.-Biography:Paulsen first publicly executed the Axel jump in 1882 at the World Championships in Vienna while wearing speed skates...
and van der Zee from Holland on Frognerkilen in 1885, when van der Zee challenged Paulsen for his title "amateur champion of the world", attracted approximately 30,000 spectators. Kristiania Skøiteklub
Oslo SK
Oslo Skøiteklub is a sports club in Oslo. Its home arena is Frogner Stadion. The club has departments for speed skating and figure skating.-Establishment:...
had Frognerkilen as its competition arena until Frogner stadion
Frogner stadion
Frogner stadion is a sports stadium in Oslo, Norway. It is located close to the Frogner Park, between the park and Majorstuen.-History:It opened in 1901, and was built by Kristiania Skøiteklub. In 1914, the stadium was moved to its current position, due to the Oslo Jubilee exhibition...
was opened in 1901.
Frognerkilen was also a popular site of boat sports. The rowing
Rowing (sport)
Rowing is a sport in which athletes race against each other on rivers, on lakes or on the ocean, depending upon the type of race and the discipline. The boats are propelled by the reaction forces on the oar blades as they are pushed against the water...
club Christiania RK
Christiania RK
Christiania Roklub is a rowing club from Oslo, Norway.Established in 1878, it is based in Frognerkilen in the Oslofjord, not far from Skarpsno...
had its headquarters at the mainland, in a locality known as "Kongen" ('The King'), whereas the Royal Norwegian Yacht Club
Royal Norwegian Yacht Club
The Royal Norwegian Yacht Club is a yacht club in Oslo, Norway . The club was established in 1883 and has some 4,000 members...
had its headquarters at the opposite shore of Frognerkilen, in a locality known as "Dronningen" ('The Queen'). Frognerkilen was formerly trafficked by ferry
Ferry
A ferry is a form of transportation, usually a boat, but sometimes a ship, used to carry primarily passengers, and sometimes vehicles and cargo as well, across a body of water. Most ferries operate on regular, frequent, return services...
; one ferry sailed between the railway station at Skarpsno
Skarpsno Station
Skarpsno Station is a closed railway station located on Skøyen–Filipstad Line in Oslo, Norway.Skarpsno is a residential area; also many foreign embassies are located here...
and Oscarshall
Oscarshall
Oscarshall castle is located in the small fjord Frognerkilen on Bygdøy in Oslo, Norway.- History :The castle was built from 1847 to 1852 by the Danish architect Johan Henrik Nebelong for King Oscar I...
at Bygdøy, and the other sailed between Skillebekk and Kongen. Also, Frognerkilen was probably the site where Fiskerlivets farer, depicting perils at sea, was filmed. Released in 1908, it is considered to be the Norwegian drama film.