Peer Gynt Sculpture Park

Peer Gynt Sculpture Park (Peer Gynt-parken) is an open-air sculpture park in Oslo that turns a play by Henrik Ibsen into a walk. Its works are arranged to lead visitors through the events of the drama, act by act.

What is Peer Gynt Sculpture Park?

The park honours one of Norway's best-known writers and his play "Peer Gynt". The idea is unusual: instead of a single monument, a whole series of works together forms a monumental presentation of the story. Strolling along the paths, you move through the scenes in order rather than looking at unrelated, standalone objects.

Who created it, and when?

The park was established in 2006 by Selvaag, a family-owned company. Most of the sculptures were chosen through an open international competition, with a jury that included Ibsen scholars and theatre people. This gives the collection variety while keeping it tied to the original text. A few works were commissioned directly.

Where is the park?

It sits in Løren, a residential neighbourhood in eastern Oslo, on Peter Møllers vei. The area was formerly industrial and has been redeveloped. It lies away from the usual tourist circuit of the city centre, so plan your route ahead of time.

What can you see?

Sources disagree on the number of sculptures: visitor guides mention about 20, while the park's own website says 23. Named pieces include:

• Knappestøperen (The Button Moulder), a figure from one of the play's final scenes,
• Bruderovet (The Abduction), tied to the wedding episode,
• Grisehodetroll, a pig-headed troll drawn from the fantastical side of Norwegian folklore.

Each sculpture corresponds to a specific moment in the play, so the better you know the plot, the more you will get out of the visit.

Is it worth preparing before you go?

Visitor opinions are mixed. Some praise the park for its clear link to the literary source, while others find the layout hard to navigate without a map. It helps to download the park's plan from its official website and to refresh your memory of the story of "Peer Gynt" before walking. The park is in an open urban setting, so your visit will mostly depend on the weather.

Frequently asked questions

Is Peer Gynt Sculpture Park in central Oslo? No. It is in the Løren district in the east of the city, on Peter Møllers vei.

How many sculptures are there? Guides say about 20; the park's website says 23.

Who chose the sculptures? Most came from an open international competition judged by Ibsen scholars and theatre people.

When was the park created? In 2006, by the family-owned company Selvaag.

Do I need a map? It is advisable. Some visitors say the layout is confusing without one.

Who is it for? Literature, theatre and contemporary art fans, and anyone looking for a quiet walk in Oslo with an unusual storyline.