Christiania Torv, Oslo

Christiania Square (Christiania Torv) stands as a captivating hub within the historic city, showcasing its architectural charm. Positioned 300 meters to the east of the Town Hall square, it has a rich history woven into its fabric.

Following a major fire in 1624 near Akershus Fortress, King Christian IV ordered a new fortification, the counterscarp, on the ruins. This led to new quarters in the east, forming a city named Christiania after the king. The central square, initially called Kvadraturen for its shape, was renamed in 1958 to honor the previous name of the Norwegian capital.

From 1639 to 1641, the square expanded by removing corner buildings, transforming its shape into a rectangle. The Old Town Hall (Gamle Rådhus) was built during this time. It served as the city's council location until 1733. Over the years, ownership changed multiple times. On March 1, 1983, the Old Town Hall opened to the public, housing the Theatre Museum from 1997.

Next to the Old Town Hall is Rådmannsgården, Kristiania's oldest building, established in 1626. Originally for councillor Loritz Hansen, it later housed different owners. In 1824, it held the University and Deutschman Library. It became a garrison hospital in 1852 and the municipality's headquarters in 1897. In 1937, it was taken over by the Oslo Art Society.

A single-story yellow building holds the local chapter of the Norwegian Association of Artists' exhibition hall. In the square's center stands the famous "Glove" fountain, known as Hansken. At the square's northern corner, there's Brasserie Hansken, a modern structure housing a restaurant and the Glove Pub.