Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-19
CITY OF CHRISTIANIA
FACTS AND FEATURES OF NOR
WAYS METROPOLIS.
Founded Nearly Thousand Years Ago
st. Halvard's Church-Aggershus
Castle-The Ealmar Union.

FROM the Chicago News.
At the head Of beautiful ford extending
from the Skager Rack northward for a dis
tance Of seventy miles King Harald Hard
raade (the severe ruler) founded the city Of
Oslo about the year 1860. The city had a
royal residence. a bishops palace, converts
and other ecclesiastical edifices, among
them st. Halvard's Church, one OF the five
famous cathedrals established In Norway
after the introduction of Christianity. To-
ward the close Of medieval ages Oslo was
In fact, though not in name, the capital
city OF Norway, and second In size only to
Bergen. In the thirteenth century the
building Of Aggershus Castle was begun on
a neighboring promontory, where during
the Calmar union Q39T-1525) the central
government Of the three Scandinavian king
doms was for time established. Con-
nagrations and the ravages of war, how
ever. crippled the city, and. after a great
fire. August II, 1924, it was decided to re-
build 1t at a place nearer the walls of Ag-
gershus Castle. where. September g. 1924.
the city OF Christiania was founded by King
Christian w.
Capital of Norway.
The new city made comparatively slow
progress till the year 1914, when It was
chosen the capital of regenerated Norway.
since that time 1t has rapidly grown in ex-
tent and Importance. The ancient city Of
Oslo, since rebuilt, has been incorporated
with the new. and now forms one Of its
SUBURBS; long and wide streets have been
built, and beautiful parks laid out.
ihe city has a large commercial fleet,
shipyards, machine shops, dry docks. fac.
tories: banks and insurance offices: 1t has
electric Trans and electric street lamps, and
as the center Of all the principal railroads
OF the country. Its present population is
about 10000 Inhabitants and it seems des
tineo TO become the most popular city in
the north.
Monumental Buildings,
Cnr1stiania has a profusion of monu-
mental buildings both of a public and of a
private character. The royal palace. stu
ated In beautiful park on an eminence
IN the western part Of the city. commands
magnificent view of tho famous Carl
JONAH avenue. In the storthing building
Capitol or house of Norwegian parliament)
- Is Merseiands celebrated picture of the
constituent convention at Eidsvold, 1914.
painting which bears a striking re-
semblance. both in its subject and appear
ance to Trumbulls Declaration of Inde-
peha fence The university, also situated
en- Carl Johan avenue, was founded by
King Frederick vi in 1911: it occupies three
extensive buildings, has a library of about
SOc,oOO volumes and an photographic col
lectlon numbering about 10000 objects,
While a staff Of sxty-three professors is
attached to the institution In addition to
the university there Is a national obserya-
tory, a military academy, and high schools.
ana quite a number of colleges, both
technical commercial, classical and mod
ern, besides numerous intermediate and frea
public schools -
~ A National Theater.
or play houses may be mentioned the
beautiful national theater, erected in 1904.
whose manager. Bjorn BJornson, is a son
OF the famous poet and politician, Bornst-
1erne BJornson. 1t is situated in a charm
Ing public garden known as the students,
Grove or other institutions of art the
g fsin OF sculpture and Of paintings. con-
also deserve more than a passing notice
Quite a number of statues decorate the
pubic squares and gardens. In front of
the royal palace is Brynjulf Bergiien's
equestrian statue Of Carl Johan, the found
er OF the Bernadotte dynasty. In front Of
the university is a monument to the late
Prof. Schweigaard. In other parts of the
city are statues of Christian w, the found
er OF Chr1stianfa: Henrik Wergeland, the
poet: Pondenskjold, the famous naval hero:
Henrik 1bSen, the dramatist: Biornstierne
Bjornson and others.
Christtania is well provided with houses
OF worship, both ancient and modern, the
Gamde Akers Church, in OSLO which dates
from the eleventh century, being perhans
the most remarkable. There are also a
number of charitable institutions and hos
pitfalls. the national infirmary being the
most important
Charm in Winter.
Beautiful as are the surroundings of
Chrtstiania on a summers day. when
everything Is clad in sunlight and the fresh
green Of the undulating valley in beauty
vtes with the blue sky. when the GOODNESS
OF sylvan retreats and the breeze on the
ford are equally genial, the winter. with
Its gl1tterfng snow and ice. has charms
scarcely less alluring. Then old and young
OF Doth sexes roam over the slopes on their
ski or go skating or sleigh riding
Frequently the handsome "kaner'' or
sleighs, forming long caravans. may be
seen on winter night returning to the city
from an excursion, the bells jingling, the
occupants Of the sleighs. cheeks aglow,
merrily chatting. while the horses breath
Is visible In the frosty air. But the tender
vows and fond caresses exchanged on such
a "kanerpart' or sleigh ride only the dis