Vigeland Park - a child of stone and bronze

There is an absolutely amazing place in the Norwegian capital. Beautiful and terrible figures froze in it in granite and bronze at the same time - over two hundred sculptures forcing one to reflect on the course of life, the stages of its passing, and finally death.

Vigeland Park (Vigelandsanlegget) is one of Oslo's top tourist attractions and is named after a sculptor who was born to sculpt. The park itself - like an organic creation - grew to become gigantic. Initially, Gustav Adolf Vigeland was commissioned by the city authorities to design a fountain.

From the fountain to the park complex

The idea of the park was created at the beginning of the 20th century. When the fountain was built, the artist's next step was to arrange sculptures and bas-reliefs around it, and then design a decorative bridge connecting the banks of the pond. Finally, 212 sculptures were erected in the park complex, with almost 600 figures on them. Their creator was fascinated by perpetuating movement in stone. He drew inspiration from neoclassicism, and its master was Auguste Rodin.

In addition to the sculptures, Vigeland designed wrought gates and wickets to the park, lighting and a maze of mosaics surrounding the fountain. The contractor was a team of blacksmiths, stonemasons and founders employed by him. Thanks to this, work on completing the project was possible also after the sculptor's death, at the end of the 1940s.

Vigeland's silent sculptures

At the highest point of the park there is a huge column carved from one block of stone - Monolith (Monolitten). It is a human tower of Babel, because it was formed of naked silhouettes intertwined in various poses. The 14-meter column is immobile, but 121 figures (one of which depicts the sculptor himself) create such a dynamic collage that it is hard not to get the impression that we will only look away and change our position or throw a glance at us. One may wonder if the director of "The Devil's Advocate" was inspired by the work of Vigeland, creating the background for the famous conversation between the hero and Satan. Only Al Pacino's mastery of the game allows the viewer to tear his eyes away from the swirling swirl of characters on the wall.

There are several hundred such places in the park. One of the most famous is the Sinnataggen , a stomping little boy with a contorted face in anger.

Tourists' impressions of hiking in Vigeland Park are ... different. On the one hand, it is impossible to deny the complex panache, and the sculptor himself has a talent for accurately reproducing the work of human muscles. On the other hand, some people pay attention to the terrible coldness of the characters, and also - despite the dynamism enchanted in the stone - to their deadness. They are so perfect that they are downright inhuman, causing some onlookers to feel uncomfortably anxious. You can even come across interpretations of Vigeland's work in relation to Nazism on the Internet.

After visiting Vigelandsanlegget

In the vicinity of the park is the Vigeland Museum , where you can see full-size plaster casts of sculptures. The artist made them all by himself, leaving the team to make them in granite and bronze.

Kafé Vigeland , a cafe, pastry shop and gift shop all rolled into one at the main entrance to the park. The menu includes freshly squeezed juices, coffee, sandwiches and various types of cakes.

Where can you find accommodation?

People looking for a campground may be interested in the offer of Ekeberg Camping , from which you can reach Vigeland Park via the straight E18 route (approx. 11 km). It is a large facility where you can sleep in a tent, in a caravan or in a motorhome. It has approx. 200 workstations with access to electricity. The campsite is open from May 30 to September 1.

Vigelandsanlegget is part of Frogner Park, a large area that serves the people of Oslo as a recreation area. Tourists can contemplate on the sculptures seen during the tour. And it must be admitted that hardly anyone will think about it after leaving the complex.