Situated in a cozy old house in a quiet, residential area, this museum presents the world from the viewpoint of children. The walls and even the floors are covered with paintings, drawings, sculptures and textile art made by children from over 180 different countries! Your children can join the creative process by drawing or playing the drums in the basement when you visit.
Norway's oldest botanical garden is open year-round and creates beautiful surroundings for the university museums in the area. Nature herself is master of ceremonies throughout the year, whether you are visiting the systematic section, the Rock Garden or the Fragrant Garden. In the greenhouses there are tropical plants and more. Inside the Botanical Museum you can enjoy the exquisite botanical drawings by an Norwegian artist. Atop the hill a nice café awaits you. The other museums in close proximity to the garden are the Mineral-geologisk Museum, Paleontologisk Museum and Zoologisk Museum. Admission is free.
Consecrated by the Bishop of Fulham on 27 July 1884, St Edmund's looks like a miniature cathedral tightly squeezed between drab plastered facades that take on monstrous proportions beside it. The Neo-Gothic building has stained glass windows and was designed by architect Paul Due. The Church is open to people from any country and any Christian denomination, and encourages its members to play an active part in congregational life. There is even a Time & Talents form to be filled when you want to become a member. Most Sundays during Service there is a Junior Church (age under 11) and childcare facilities in the crypt. Activities include an excellent choir, concerts, a Student Group with weekly meetings and a monthly Ladies' Guild. Services are followed by light refreshments and social fellowship meetings.
In the wake of World War II and Norway's membership in NATO, a considerable group of Americans came to live in Oslo. Many of them felt the need for a religious community of their own. Through individual gifts and financial support from their parent church body in the USA, this Modernist building in Fritznersgate was built by architects Svik, Methri & Mattson of Northfield, Minnesota, and consecrated in October 1964. The bronze figure on the facade was made by professor Egon Weiner in 1967. The Congregation welcomes all baptized Christians, aiming to be "especially sensitive to the needs of people living in an international environment and those in intercultural marriages." The style of worship is Lutheran, though at times simplified, and includes hymns from a variety of traditions. Holy Communion is celebrated on the first and third Sunday of the month.
This farm hosts one of Oslo's largest horse-riding schools. They take over 500 eager students every week, on 35 horses. Unfortunately the waiting list for riding lessons is over six months long. On the farm there are also workshops where Norwegian handcrafts are made. There is no café at the farm, so you have to bring your own food or eat at the nearby Stovner shopping center.
The Mortensrud Menighet serves the congregation here in Oslo with a number of religious services and community events. All of the faithful, from children to seniors, participate in the various programs conducted in the church premises. The church is also known for the various musical programs it presents that include choir singing and Christian jazz performances. Serving both religious and cultural needs, this church makes an interesting addition to one's travel itinerary. Call ahead for details or check out the church's website.