Parliament of Norway Building
Encyclopedia
The Parliament of Norway Building is the seat of the Parliament of Norway, located in central Oslo
. The building is located at Karl Johans gate 22 and was taken into use on 5 March 1866. It was designed by the Swedish architect Emil Victor Langlet
.
, the newly established legislature started meeting at Christiania lærde Skole at Tollbodgaten and Dronningsgate. From 1854, the legislature started using the grand hall at the Royal Frederick University
. However, proposals of an own parliament building had arisen. The parliament voted down a government proposal to create such a building in 1833, but in 1836, the work to establish a permanent building started. Twelve lots in central Oslo, located between the Royal Palace
and Oslo East Station. The government decided to build in the Palace Park
, and this was passed by the parliament. However, instead the government chose to purchase the current lot instead. This was approved by parliament in 1857.
The next discussion was related to the architecture. Several proposals were made, and twelve of these have been preserved. A design competition
was initiated in 1856, and this was won by the architects Heinrich Ernst Schirmer
og Wilhelm von Hanno
. However, parliament decided to reject the proposal because it looked too much like a church. Instead, a proposal from the Swedish architect Emil Victor Langlet was chosen with 59 against 47 votes on 18 May 1860. Construction started on 3 August 1860, and the cornerstone was laid on 10 October 1861. The building cost . The parliament moved in on 5 March 1866.
Initially, the building was too large for the needs of the legislature, and several other government agencies, including the Office of the Auditor General of Norway
, the National Archival Services
, the Mapping and Cadastre Authority and the Director of Canals were also housed there. As the parliament has expanded, these various agencies have moved out.
During the German invasion of Norway on 9 April 1940, parliament relocated and held two meetings, once in a cinema in Hamar
and once at Elverum Folk High School. The remaining meetings during World War II
were held abroad. During the war, the building was taken over by the German forces, and at first used as barracks. Later, Reichskommissar
Josef Terboven
with administration moved into the building. The Lagting Chamber was refurnished, with the ceiling lowered and the interior redecorated with mahogany panels and funkis style.
From 1951 to 1959, a four-story office building was built at the back of the building. The courtyard was filled in, and the chamber expanded. This work was led by architect Nils Holter. In 1872, parliament bought Prinsens gate 26, in 1988 they bought Akersgata 21, in 1993 Nedre Vollgate 20, in 1997 Nedre Vollgate 18 and in 1999 Tollbugaten 31. The parliament also rents offices in Akersgata 18.
The building is built in yellow brick with details and basement in light gray granite. It is a combination of several styles, including inspirations from France and Italy. A characteristic feature of Stortingsbygningen is the way the plenary chamber is located in the semi-circular section in the front of the building, as opposed to the building's centre. The back side of the building mirrors the facade of the front, with the meeting chamber of the now-abolished Lagting legislative chamber. The interior of the building is also designed by Langlet.
Oslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
. The building is located at Karl Johans gate 22 and was taken into use on 5 March 1866. It was designed by the Swedish architect Emil Victor Langlet
Emil Victor Langlet
Emil Victor Langlet was a Swedish architect.He was born in Borås. He first made his mark when designing the Norwegian Parliament Building, which was finally competed in 1866. He also drew the city hall and the hospital in Fredrikstad, several villas and Sagatun, the first folk high school in Norway...
.
History
Following the establishment of the Parliament of Norway in 1814, which had happened at a private home belonging to Carsten Anker in EidsvollEidsvoll
is a municipality in Akershus county, Norway. It is part of the Romerike traditional region. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Sundet.-Name:...
, the newly established legislature started meeting at Christiania lærde Skole at Tollbodgaten and Dronningsgate. From 1854, the legislature started using the grand hall at the Royal Frederick University
University of Oslo
The University of Oslo , formerly The Royal Frederick University , is the oldest and largest university in Norway, situated in the Norwegian capital of Oslo. The university was founded in 1811 and was modelled after the recently established University of Berlin...
. However, proposals of an own parliament building had arisen. The parliament voted down a government proposal to create such a building in 1833, but in 1836, the work to establish a permanent building started. Twelve lots in central Oslo, located between the Royal Palace
Royal Palace, Oslo
The Royal Palace in Oslo was built in the first half of the 19th century as the Norwegian residence of Norwegian and Swedish king Charles III and is the official residence of the present Norwegian Monarch. The crown prince couple resides at Skaugum in Asker west of Oslo...
and Oslo East Station. The government decided to build in the Palace Park
Palace Park
The Palace Park is a public park in the center of Oslo, Norway, surrounding the Royal Palace. It is . It was built during the 1840s and was designed by Hans Ditlev Franciscus Linstow, who was the main architect of the palace...
, and this was passed by the parliament. However, instead the government chose to purchase the current lot instead. This was approved by parliament in 1857.
The next discussion was related to the architecture. Several proposals were made, and twelve of these have been preserved. A design competition
Architectural design competition
An architectural design competition is a special type of competition in which an organization or government body that plans to build a new building asks for architects to submit a proposed design for a building. The winning design is usually chosen by an independent panel of design professionals...
was initiated in 1856, and this was won by the architects Heinrich Ernst Schirmer
Heinrich Ernst Schirmer
Heinrich Ernst Schirmer was German-born architect most noted for his work in Norway.Schirmer worked in Norway from 1838 to 1883 and put his mark on a number of public buildings...
og Wilhelm von Hanno
Wilhelm von Hanno
Andreas Friedrich Wilhelm von Hanno was a German-born architect, sculptor and painter most noted for his work in Norway.-Biography:...
. However, parliament decided to reject the proposal because it looked too much like a church. Instead, a proposal from the Swedish architect Emil Victor Langlet was chosen with 59 against 47 votes on 18 May 1860. Construction started on 3 August 1860, and the cornerstone was laid on 10 October 1861. The building cost . The parliament moved in on 5 March 1866.
Initially, the building was too large for the needs of the legislature, and several other government agencies, including the Office of the Auditor General of Norway
Office of the Auditor General of Norway
The Office of the Auditor General of Norway is the state auditor of the Government of Norway and directly subordinate of the Parliament of Norway. It is responsible for auditing, monitoring and advising all state economic activities, including financial audits, performance audits and corporate...
, the National Archival Services
National Archival Services of Norway
The National Archival Services of Norway is a Norwegian government agency that is responsible for keeping state archives, conducts control of public archiving and works to preserve private archives. It is subordinate to the Ministry of Culture and Church Affairs and consists of the National...
, the Mapping and Cadastre Authority and the Director of Canals were also housed there. As the parliament has expanded, these various agencies have moved out.
During the German invasion of Norway on 9 April 1940, parliament relocated and held two meetings, once in a cinema in Hamar
Hamar
is a town and municipality in Hedmark county, Norway. It is part of the traditional region of Hedmarken. The administrative centre of the municipality is the town of Hamar. The municipality of Hamar was separated from Vang as a town and municipality of its own in 1849...
and once at Elverum Folk High School. The remaining meetings during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
were held abroad. During the war, the building was taken over by the German forces, and at first used as barracks. Later, Reichskommissar
Reichskommissar
Reichskommissar , in German history, was an official gubernatorial title used for various public offices during the period of the German Empire and the Nazi Third Reich....
Josef Terboven
Josef Terboven
Josef Antonius Heinrich Terboven was a Nazi leader, best known as the Reichskommissar during the German occupation of Norway.-Early life:...
with administration moved into the building. The Lagting Chamber was refurnished, with the ceiling lowered and the interior redecorated with mahogany panels and funkis style.
From 1951 to 1959, a four-story office building was built at the back of the building. The courtyard was filled in, and the chamber expanded. This work was led by architect Nils Holter. In 1872, parliament bought Prinsens gate 26, in 1988 they bought Akersgata 21, in 1993 Nedre Vollgate 20, in 1997 Nedre Vollgate 18 and in 1999 Tollbugaten 31. The parliament also rents offices in Akersgata 18.
Architecture