Finally its spring here in Oslo, and summer is just around the corner. Everything is blooming and soon we will be swimming in the ocean, and sunbathing all around the fjord. Spring in Norway is quite intense due to the abundance of water (melting snow) in conjunction with plenty of sunlight and quickly rising temperatures (typically in May). Be aware that daylight varies greatly during the year. In Oslo, the sun sets at around 3:30 PM in December. North of the Arctic Circle one can experience the midnight sun and polar night (winter darkness). Today the sunrise in Oslo was at 04:27 and sunset in Oslo at 22:01 – that’s over 17 hours of daylight and the days will only get longer until the 21 of June. At Oslo’s latitude, summer nights exist in the form of prolonged twilight during June and July, these gentle “white nights” can be a nice and unusual experience for visitors.
«Spikersuppa» in “The National Mall of Norway”:
Eidsvolls plass (Eidsvoll Square) is a square and park in Oslo, located from the Parliament, along Karl Johans street, through «Spikersuppa» or “Studenterlunden” down to The National Theatre. It has been referred to as “The National Mall of Norway“.
Left: Spikersuppa & behind the trees: The Parliament
Left: view from Karl Johan into «Spikersuppa» behind the trees – Right: National Theatre at the end of “Mall of Norway”
In 1956, a plan by architect Arnstein Arneberg was set into motion, creating a decorative pool of water at Eidsvolls Square. Funded by the company Christiania Spigerverk (Christania nail factory), it was nicknamed «Spikersuppa» “nail soup” – an old folk myth similar to stone soup in other countries). The pool has a fountain in the middle and a group of trees as well as statue of children playing by the water and deer:
From ice cream to ice skating:
«Spikersuppa» – surrounded by trees with a pond, a fountain and benches on either side – is a popular place to sit and enjoy an ice cream in spring and on warm summer days, the pond is filled with children. However – talking about significant change of seasons in Norway; in winter the water is frozen, making the pond a popular skating rink:
«Spikersuppa» – Above: fountain in spring – Below: skating rink in winter time.
Let me end the story with some more photos (click to bigify & enjoy!) at “The National Mall of Norway“. All four seasons have it charm, but spring is the most colourful – don’t you think?
Spring in Oslo: Flowers all around “The National Mall of Norway” : -)
Norwegians really know how to enjoy the spring season. As all of you have seen we are outdoors quite a lot in winter as well, but having this intense difference between cold winters and warm summer we are all out charging our batteries in the spring and summer months to recover from and prepare for the long dark winter. The contrast also serves to intensify our appreciation of all the seasons. It is in the differences and the contrast which makes the enjoyment so intense.
Just one word: beautiful!
Thanks for sharing!
Kisses and hugs!
It feels like we have skipped spring in April. We were so lucky to have warm days. I love your photos Renny!
that looks like such a lovely place to enjoy a sunny spring day.
I still don’t even feel like spring has arrived here in Victoria. But we do have flowers like the beautiful ones I see in your photos. Of course you know I just love that sunlight!!! And cannot wait to see more of it. My parents will see the difference in a few weeks when they come to visit…
And of course one day I want to visit in the summer months!
Wonderful! Just beautiful and perfect to spend a quiet and entertaining outing.
would also love to share with you about the great mountain ranges in Asia – the Himalayan Mountains. Do chk out.
This summer, visiting Oslo.
Very beautiful indeed. Though it has been a bit strange spring this year I think, cold-warm-cold – and rainy for you I think?
You have a wonderful blog. The information and pictures about Norway are great. Thanks for sharing:)