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The Norwegian city of Oslo was founded in the year 1040 under the name Ánslo. After being destroyed by a fire in 1624, during the reign of King Christian IV, a new city was built closer to Akershus Fortress and named Christiania in the king's honour.
May 31, 2018 · Throughout the years, the Norwegian capital has changed its name (and its spelling) quite a few times – and every time, the change reflected that particular phase of the city’s history. Read on for a better understanding of all of Oslo’s names and nicknames.
- Danai Christopoulou
Oslo was founded as a city at the end of the Viking Age in 1040 under the name Ánslo, and established as a kaupstad or trading place in 1048 by Harald Hardrada. The city was elevated to a bishopric in 1070 and a capital under Haakon V of Norway around the year 1300.
Nov 20, 2019 · According to the Norse sagas, the establishment of the city occurred in 1049 when King Harald Hardrada made it a designated Kaupstad or trading place. During the reign of Olaf III, Oslo grew to be an important cultural centre for the East of Norway. In 1070, the city was elevated to a bishopric.
Oct 23, 2023 · Oslo hasn’t always been called Oslo. It was formerly called Christiania and later Kristiania. Here’s how the capital got its current name and what it means.
The earliest versions of Oslo’s name during the Middle Ages were spelled “Ánslo” and “Áslo” – “ás” (nowadays, “ås”) meaning “ridge” or “hill”. It was then believed that Oslo’s original name meant, “the meadow beneath the hill”, the hill being the Ekeberg ridge.
The city and municipality used the name Kristiania until 1 January 1925, when the name was changed back to Oslo. The reason the name was changed is because, after Norway became completely independent in 1905, the locals thought it was inappropriate to have the capital named after a Danish king.
