Landscaped park with lawns, reservoir history and a view over central Oslo. The upper terraces require a climb.
St. Hanshaugen is one of Oslo's largest parks, just north of the city centre. This popular recreational area is great for walks, and from the top of the hill you have a nice view of Oslo.
St. Hanshaugen Park is a classic urban park located within the borough of St. Hanshaugen, which was named for the park which lies within its center. St. Hanshaugen Park is situated between Geitmyrsveien, Colletts gate, Ullevålsveien and Knud Knudsens plass. Nearby are Bislett Stadium and Alexander Kiellands plass.
St. Hanshaugen Park has a mixture of intimate and romantic areas together with rolling hills which provide picturesque and scenic views to downtown Oslo. The park has a reflecting pool covering a reservoir. Through the years, a number of statues were also placed in the park. The park also has a groundskeepers house, an artificial creek and a pavilion on the square Festplassen. St. Hanshaugen Park has a stage used for outdoor concerts and entertainment which is quite popular. St. Hanshaugen Park is also the site of Kongene på Haugen festivalen, an annual local music festival.
History
The park location was originally a bare rock hill. During the 1840s, inhabitants of Oslo began to use the site of the future park as location for their Midsummer Eve bonfire. St. Hans is a Norwegian term for Midsummer Eve while haugen (from Old Norse haugr) refers to a hill.
Fritz Heinrich Frølich (1807-1877) first initiated development of St. Hanshaugen Park around 1850. Frølich was a successful banker who served as director of Christiania Bank. He was a key figure in the business and community life of Christiania (now Oslo) during the mid 1800s. From 1843 until his death, Frølich was also a prominent member of the city council.
During the middle of the 1860s, over one thousand trees were planted creating the first major park outside the city center. Starting in 1867, the city took responsibility for the park and the last major works were carried out in the years 1876–1890. The final part of the park was added with purchases of land in 1909.
St. Hanshaugen was originally a bare rock hill. In the 1840s the name St. Hanshaugen ("midsummer hill") came into use, as the hill was a popular place for midsummer celebrations. In 1855 it was decided that parts of the hill was to be planted, and a big part of the hill was turned into a park in the next 30 years. The park also got a park keeper house, an artificial creek and a pavilion on the square Festplassen, and the park was expanded. Through the years, a number of statues were also placed in the park. In 1936, the park got an open-air café on Festplassen – the square on top of the hill – which is still a popular summer café today.
Notable Statues
Peter Chr. Asbjørnsen by Brynjulf Bergslien (1885)
Kvinne by Ørnulf Bast (1947)
Musikanter by Arne Vinje Gunnerud (1970)
Svane by Arne Durban (1981)
Løvinne med unger by H. Stuetzer (1891)
How to get to St. Hanshaugen Park
To reach the serene heights of St. Hanshaugen Park, a historic hilltop oasis located just north of Oslo’s city center, you can choose between a seamless public transit journey, a scenic stroll, or a private vehicle arrival.
By Public Transit (The Recommended Choice)
Oslo’s highly efficient public transport network, operated by Ruter, provides effortless access directly to the park gates.
The City Bus: The most direct and effortless method is taking the Line 37 bus (bound for Nydalen). You can board at major central hubs like Jernbanetorget (Oslo Central Station) or Wessels plass. Alight at the Colletts gate stop, which sits immediately adjacent to the park. The journey takes approximately 10 to 14 minutes, with departures running every 10 minutes. [1, 2, 3, 4]
The Subway (T-bane): If you prefer the underground, take any eastbound or westbound train to Majorstuen or Nationaltheatret. From either station, the park is a pleasant 15-to-20-minute walk or a brief connection via local bus lines.
On Foot (The Scenic Promenade)
For those wishing to immerse themselves in Oslo's charming architecture, walking from the city center is highly rewarding.
A stroll from Oslo Central Station spanning roughly 2.3 kilometers takes about 27 to 30 minutes.
The route leads you gently uphill through the vibrant, historic streets of the St. Hanshaugen neighborhood. As you approach via Ullevålsveien, you will pass local artisan bakeries and classic 19th-century apartment buildings.
By Taxi or Private Vehicle
While driving offers flexibility, it is generally less optimal due to strict local parking regulations. [1]
Taxi: A private ride from Oslo Central Station takes a mere 5 to 7 minutes depending on traffic.
Parking Considerations: Street parking directly alongside the park boundary is exceptionally scarce. If you choose to drive, it is highly recommended to secure a space at the nearby St. Hanshaugen Senter P-hus
(located at Waldemar Thranes gate 25), which is just a short walk from the park's northern entrance. [1, 2, 3]
Sources
"St. Hanshaugen". Kulturminnesøk. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
"Kongene på Haugen festivalen". detskjerioslo. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
Gunnar Nerheim. "F H Frølich, Forretningsdrivende og Bankleder". Norsk biografisk leksikon. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
Anette Walmann (2006). "Det Begynte Med St. Hanshaugen" (PDF). Tobias, Nr 2 og 3. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to St. Hanshaugen (park).