About this place
The equestrian statue of Charles XIV John stands in the heart of Oslo, in front of the Royal Palace, where the city's main promenade, Karl Johans gate, meets the square of Slottsplassen. It is one of the best-known monuments in the Norwegian capital and a natural landmark on any walk through the city centre.
Who does the statue depict?
The bronze shows Charles XIV John, born Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte, a former French marshal who became crown prince of Sweden in 1810 and took the throne of Sweden and Norway in 1818. He reigned until his death in 1844 and was the first monarch of the Bernadotte dynasty. In Norway he is nowadays usually called Charles III John, because Norwegian regnal numbering is counted differently. On the monument the king wears military dress and holds a commander's baton raised in the air.
Who made it, and when?
The sculptor was the Norwegian artist Brynjulf Bergslien, and the statue was unveiled in 1875, more than thirty years after the king's death. Older travel handbooks note that the pedestal carries the king's motto, which speaks of the people's love as his reward.
Where exactly is it?
The statue stands on a rise in front of the palace, at the end of Karl Johans gate. The street was named after the king in 1852, shortly after his death, so the monument and Oslo's most famous boulevard share the same name. Behind the rider lies Slottsparken, the public park around the palace, which holds other monuments too. The coordinates are roughly 59.9167 N, 10.7290 E.
How to visit
The best way to see it is on a stroll along Karl Johans gate: from the central station the promenade runs uphill toward the palace, and the king on horseback closes the view at the end of the street. It is easy to combine with a walk through the palace park and a look at the facade of the Royal Palace. The monument sits in an open public space, so there is no admission, and it makes a good photo spot with the palace in the background.
Frequently asked questions
Is there an entrance fee? No, the statue stands in an open public area.
Who made the sculpture? Brynjulf Bergslien.
When was it unveiled? In 1875.
Why is the street called Karl Johans gate? It was named in 1852 in honour of the recently deceased King Charles John.
Is Charles III John the same king? Yes. Sweden uses the number XIV, while Norway today uses III.
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