Risenga ice-skating rink is about 6 km from Vollen and is prepared daily during the winter season from the beginning of November. The opening hours are given here but in general the rink is open from 09:00 – 22:30 daily.
Ekeberg park is large, with woods, established paths and art. (Click the link for a map of the park and details of all the works of art) All sculptures are of high quality and are representative of European art history of the last 130 years. (Just a few examples are Per Ung, Damien Hirst, Gustav Vigeland, Auguste Rodin and Salvador Dalí) So far 39 sculptures have been erected. These will in coming years be accompanied by more artworks. The combination of Ekeberg’s long history, the beautiful nature and the splendid sculptures offers visitors a triple experience.
Karlsborg Spiseforretning is a small restaurant with an amazing view over Oslo harbour and the fjord. You can enjoy soups, salads, sandwiches, warm dishes and delicious cakes as well as very welcome hot coffee and chocolate on cold winter days!
Sean Henry’s Walking Woman
Richard Hudson’s Marilyn Monroe
Salvador Dali’s Venus de Milo Aux Tiroirs
Ann-Sofi Sidén’s Fideicommissum
The photo is from 16th January 2018 after a heavy fall of snow. However the first snow can arrive as early as the end of October. In winter conditions you can still drive up Vollen skog road but if there is a lot of snow, or minor roads are icy, it is possible to use the alternative route. Turn off Slemmestadveien into Vollenveien. Continue 3 more minutes up the road past Vollenskog and turn into Vollenlia. Then take the first road on your left into Golia and down to Vollen Skog. Left again and my house is on the right. It is best to back down into the drive.
View to the statue bridge
Baby waiting for birth
The Angry Boy
Monolith
Vigeland Park is the world’s largest sculpture park made by a single artist, and is one of Norway’s most popular tourist attractions. The park is open to visitors all year round. There is a large parking lot beside the park. Allow at least an hour to enjoy the various elements in the park. We suggest that you first go to the beginning of life circle of eight bronze sculptures down below the bridge – with the little baby waiting to be born in the centre. Then make your way through the park, finally arriving at the amazing monolith.
The unique sculpture park is Gustav Vigeland’s lifework with more than 200 sculptures in bronze, granite and wrought iron. Vigeland was also in charge of the design and architectural layout of the park. The Vigeland Park was mainly completed between 1939 and 1949.
Most of the sculptures are placed in five units along an 850 meter long axis: The Main gate, the Bridge with the Children’s playground, the Fountain, the Monolith plateau and the Wheel of Life.
Oslo citizens use the park for lots of recreational and sporting activities – skiing, jogging, walking, meeting friends, picnicking on the grass – and it is equally popular at all seasons.
You will enjoy finding your favourite statue – mine is the first on the left below!
From the Monolith, walk to the Circle of Life. After enjoying this, look over at the hills to see the iconic Holmenkollen ski jump.
Do find this first picture on the frieze of the Fountain of Life. Then walk to the left to see the entire circle of life evolve.
There are several cafes in the park. This one is close to the Monolith. They sell small copies of the “Angry Boy” as well as postcards.
The Fram Polar ship is in one of Oslo’s most visited museums, located on Bygdøy peninsula right beside the landing stage for ferries from Oslo Harbour. To get there from Vollen, you can take the bus or ferry to Oslo and then change to the Bygdøy ferry boat at Pier 3. This ferry operates between March and October and departure is every 20/30 minutes. It is also possible to take a bus from Oslo centre. Visitors with Oslo pass go free on the ferry and bus.
If you have a car, you drive towards Oslo and take off for Bygdøy. At the height of the tourist season, it can be difficult to find a park.
If you have time and inclination, The Fram museum offers a double ticket which also gives entry to the Norwegian Maritime Museum in the building just opposite. The Kon Tiki museum is also in this area. The Viking Ship Museum and the Norwegian Folk Museum are within 15 minutes walk. When arriving on Bygdøy peninsula by road, you pass the King’s summer residence, Kongsgården.
For information about places to visit on Bygdøy peninsula, visit the web sites:
Fram Museum
Maritime Museum
Kon.Tiki Museum
Folk Museum
Viking Ship Museum
Oscarshall Summer Palace
