The Top 10 Things To See And Do In Grnland Oslo

Grønland is Oslo’s most diverse district. With a high percentage of immigrants, and an administrative connection to Oslo’s Old Town, this district truly showcases the juxtaposition between the old and traditional, and the new and international, influences of the city. Immerse yourself in culture, history and good food, or just take a walk through Grønland.

Enjoy international flavors

As a central area of Oslo’s immigrant population, the multicultural character of the district’s population is reflected in the cuisine. Wander the streets of Grønland and buy goods from all over the world. Colorful exotic spices, and locally sourced vegetables sit side by side. The international selection of food can also be seen in the variety of restaurants in the area. Turkish kebabs, Japanese sushi, trendy burgers, and traditional Norwegian fish dishes. This is a part of Oslo in which you won’t go hungry.

1. Intercultural Museum

Museum

A part of the Oslo City Museum, the Intercultural Museum aims to promote intercultural understanding and respect. Established in what was once an old police station, the museum has a permanent exhibition documenting the history of immigration in Norway, and cultural changes that have happened in the country over the years. Displayed in what was once prison cells, the museum also has a revolving exhibition of art, made by artists of different nationalities and backgrounds, to showcase a varied selection of traditional and contemporary art. The Intercultural Museum won the prize for best Norwegian museum in 2006 and offers a vital contribution to the coexistence of different cultures in such a diverse part of the city.

Visit a gallery

While Grünerløkka is perhaps the area of Oslo today most strongly associated with the creative endeavors, its neighboring district, Grønland, is not far behind. With an increasing number of galleries, this part of Oslo is starting to make its mark on the local art scene. Visit 1857, an artist-run gallery established in an old lumberyard, attempting to promote a connection between the Norwegian art scene and young international artists. Or take a trip to Galleri MAP, an exhibition space with revolving exhibitions on anything from musical photography to paintings inspired by Cuba.

Galleri MAP, Tøyengata 32, Oslo, Norway, +47 98 89 26 72

1857, Tøyenbekken 12, Oslo, Norway, +47 22 17 60 50

Grønland Mosque

The most obvious testament to the multicultural population of Grønland is the mosque in Åkerbergveien. Established in the middle of the 1990s, the Central Jam-e-Mosque is the second largest in the country with room for more than 700 people. Though the mosque is mainly concerned with giving tours to larger groups on request, the building’s exterior is beautifully decorated with Spanish and Iranian tiles, and calligraphy, in shades of blue. With its two minarets, this mosque has become a prime symbol of the diversity of Grønland.

Åkerbergveien 28B, Oslo, Norway, +47 22 68 27 08

2. Oslo Fire Museum

Museum

Oslo Fire Museum may be a place worth a visit, if only as a curiosity. Aiming to document, as they themselves put it, Oslo’s ‘fire history’, this museum displays artefacts and objects from a long fire-fighting tradition. In the capital of a country where houses are dominantly made of wood, the Norwegian fire-fighter history is more comprehensive than many. Pay a visit to the Oslo Fire Museum, see veteran fire trucks, and learn something you never knew you wanted to know.