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Bergen was founded in 1066 and was Norway's largest center for commerce and shipping until the 1830's. From the Hanseatic Period, remains the old wooden warehouses on the Hanseatic pier.
Troldhsugen is where Edvard Grieg composed many compositions and spent his summers from 1885 until his death in 1907. He and his wife are buried there.
Troldhaugen, Mount Floyen is 1,000 feet above sea level.
Oslo, (original name), founded by King Harald III, is over 1,000 years old. Its name was Kristiania until 1925, but was originally spelled "Christiania," named after King Christian IV. Oslo has been the capital of Norway since 1814.
Oslo is located at the end of the Oslofjord and has a population of 648,000. Oslo is the fastest growing city by population in Europe. Norway has remained independent of the European Union and the Euro currency.
In 2012, Oslo was ranked number one in terms of quality of life among European large cities, as well as one of the most expensive cities in the world. Its northern latitude provides daylight of more than 18 hours in summer and just 6 hours in winter.
Oslo is approached by sea by the Oslofjord, which is not a fjord geologically, but a bay containing over forty islands within the city limits. The city has 343 lakes.
Oslo is home to the Munch Museum where you can see the original Edvard Munch "Scream." The Vikingskiphuset Museum contains three Viking ships. It is in Oslo's City Hall, (Oslo Radhus), the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded. It opened in 1950, 30 years after its inception. (www.rft.oslo.kommune.no)
The 80-acre Gustav Vigeland Sculpture Park contains 200 sculptures.
The Holmenkollen Ski Jump ... is the only steel ski jump in the world, consisting of over 1,000 tons of steel. The new hill was opened on March 3, 2010. There are 250 steps to the top and it's 591 meters high.
The striking ("Den Norske") Opera & Ballet Theater is Norway's largest music and performing arts institution and was built in 2008. You may stroll around the unique (challenging) roof. It is not only slippery when wet, it's slippery when dry.
Two interesting facts: Oslo was the home of the great opera singer Kirsten Flagstads and yes, it's true, Norwegians have the highest coffee consumption (per capita) in the world making Oslo the "Barista Capitol of the World."