SHARE
COPY LINK

DISCOVER NORWAY

IN PICTURES: Norway’s ugliest buildings

Not every building in Norway is a picturesque cabin or a modern architectural marvel. Here are some of the buildings that aren’t so easy on the eye. 

Pictured is the Munch Museum.
These are some of Norway's least aesthetically pleasing buildings. Pictured is the Munch Museum.Photo by Franz Wender on Unsplash

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, or so the saying goes. But there are plenty of buildings in Norway which fail to attract admiring glances from the general public. 

The most recent example of these would be the Norwegian National Museum, which has been crowned the ugliest building of the year. The unwanted accolade was awarded by The Architectural Uprising (Arkitekturupprororet)

Local publication Vårt Oslo reports that the building received 22 percent of the total vote to decide the ugliest building of the year. 

The building was described as “timelessly gloomy”, and that its design made passers-by “tired and sad”. 

Residential blocks Skir (Tromsø) and Nye Valentinlyst (Trondheim) were ranked second and third on the list. 

Below you can see pictures of the three offending buildings and one which won gold for its more appealing looks. 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Arkitekturopprøret Norge (@aonorge)

2022’s result marks the second time a brand new museum in Oslo was branded with the “award” after the Munch Museum, which attracted much derision when it opened, was given the prize for the ugliest building in 2021Pictured below is the Much Museum.

Photo by Franz Wender on Unsplash
 
Sandnes Town Hall in western Norway was nominated in 2021. The building is best known for its distinctive cube shape, which you take a look at in the embedded post. 
 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Christian Hellevang (@christianhellevang)

Previously, public broadcaster NRK used to run polls on the country’s ugliest buildings. One name that will be more than familiar to those who kept up with the polls would be Tynset Town Hall, affectionally referred to as the “brown cheese” by locals.

NRK’s poll described the building as a “brutalist high-rise”, and it certainly contrasts with the area’s otherwise cosy surroundings.

The nickname was bestowed upon the building for its colour and resemblance in shape to a block of brown cheese. Below you can see a picture of the town hall. 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Kai Røen (@kai.roen)

Member comments

Log in here to leave a comment.
Become a Member to leave a comment.
For members

DISCOVER NORWAY

Eight unmissable events happening in Norway in May 2024 

A trio of jazz festivals, a new museum opening, and the seven mountain hike in Bergen are among the best things happening in Norway in May. 

Eight unmissable events happening in Norway in May 2024 

Three different jazz festivals 

May is looking to be a good month for music lovers in Norway, as three different festivals will be held throughout the country.

First up, is Maijazz Stavanger. The festival started in 1989 and is one of the largest events in the Stavanger region. 

The festival begins on May 3rd and runs until May 8th. Tickets are available for individual concerts and shows

This is followed by Jazzfest Trondheim, which commences on May 6th. The festival will run through to the 11th. Jazzfest places a focus on jazz music and musicians from Norway, the Nordics and northern Europe. 

The festival also includes workshops and jam sessions. 

Bergen Jazz Festival then closes out a month of concerts. The week-long festival begins on May 24th and extends into the beginning of June.

New museum in Kristiansand 

A grain silo from 1935 will get a new lease of life when Kunstsilo opens in Kristiansand on May 11th. 

The museum will combine three permanent collections, the Tangen collection, the Sørlands collection and the Christianssands Picture Gallery.

The museum’s collection will comprise the world’s largest collection of Nordic modernism. Visitors can also enjoy international digital contemporary art, temporary exhibitions, lectures, concerts, dining experiences, workshops, function rooms, and events.

May 17th and public holiday galore 

It doesn’t matter where you are in the country. May 17th promises to be a special day across Norway

The country’s national day will see the public dressed in folk costumes and attend parades with marching bands. 

Oslo is set to have the largest parade, which makes its way up Karl Johan Street to the Royal Palace. 

Wednesday, May 1st will see workers off for Labour Day, this is followed by Ascension day on May 9th. 

This is followed by Whit Monday on May 20th, meaning workers in Norway will have a long weekend between Constitution Day and Whit Monday. 

Bergen International Festival 

Norway’s oldest cultural festival (established in 1953), the Bergen International Festival (Festspillene i Bergen), is scheduled to take place between May 22nd and June 5th.

The festival usually offers visitors a blend of theatre, dance, music, opera, and visual art, showcasing both Norwegian and international talent.

Each year, the Bergen International Festival captivates audiences with hundreds of live performances staged both indoors and outdoors.

Seven mountain hike in Bergen 

The annual seven mountain hike in Bergen will see residents and visitors scramble across the seven peaks that sit above the city. The whole day can be used to complete the 30 km-long route.

You can also opt to do just five or three mountains instead. The event begins on May 26th. 

Oslo medieval festival 

The Oslo Medieval Festival is at Akershus Fortress in the capital. Each day promises fun events for the whole family, with the fortress, which dates back to the 1200s, providing plenty of authentic medieval atmosphere. 

Wandering jugglers, jesters, musicians, beggars, historical plays, longbow shooting, and concerts with medieval songs and instruments are all on the itinerary. All this is in addition to the market selling goods from Norway and abroad. 

The festival takes place between May 26th and May 29th. 

SHOW COMMENTS