What is the city Christiania known as today

asks Katie

A. Christiania was once the name of Oslo, capital of Norway. The city was known as Oslo from its inception in 1025 until it was burned down in 1624 and rebuilt by King Christian IV, who renamed it Christiania. It reverted back to its original name, Oslo, in 1925.

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Q. I don't know anyone that has ever been to Oslo, what is it like

A. Oslo is a very low-key city and not often visited on the tourist trail, but it does have a lot to offer visitors. Some of its main attractions include:

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Akershus Fortress: This medieval fortress dates back to 1300. Its upper floors contain a huge banqueting hall, state rooms, ballrooms and verandas, while underneath a maze of dungeons (used as a prison during Nazi occupation) have an incredibly cold and eerie feel about them. Its chapel holds the crypts of King H�kon VII and King Olav V and is still used today for state occasions.

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Resistance Museum: During the German occupation of WWII, Norway was home to a tough resistance movement, which today is lesser known than the French movement, but a powerful force all the same. This museum commemorates the Norwegian struggle against its occupiers and is full of historical artefacts.

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Domkirke:�An impressive cathedral dating back to the 17th century.�Although it looks quite dull on the outside, the splendour of the interior makes up for it. It is situated on Oslo's main thoroughfare, Karl Johan's Gate.

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Stortinget: Also situated on Karl Johan's Gate is the home of the Norwegian parliament, the Stortinget. The building dates back to 1866 and is a fine example of neo-Romanesque architecture. It is open to the public, with a tour guide.

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Vigeland Park & Museum (located within Frogner Park): One of Oslo's famous sons is Gustav Vigeland, well-known for his lifelike sculptures of the human form. This park commemorates his work - check out�the writhing bodies sculpture in its centre - as does the Vigeland Museum opposite the park.

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Munch Museum: Edvard Munch is another one of Oslo's famous sons and a visit to the Munch Museum will impress his many fans, as it exhibits 5,000 of his paintings and drawings. However, you'll have to visit the nearby National Gallery for a glimpse of his most famous work, The Scream (which was stolen and then returned in 1994).

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National Gallery:�A great place to visit if you are unfamiliar with Norwegian art as it is a great monument to its national artists.

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Royal Palace: Unlike other palaces in Europe, Oslo's Royal Palace is not surrounded by a wall, fence or gates so at first you think you've found the wrong building. You can't actually visit inside the palace, but you can't visit its grounds, known as the Slottsparken.

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R�dhus: Opened in 1950 to celebrate Oslo's 900th anniversary, this Civic Hall courted much controversy when it was first opened as its modern design was not appreciated by the locals, but today it is embraced and its twin towers are a landmark in the city.

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Viking Ships Museum: Situated on the Bygd�y Peninsula (south of the city centre), this museum is reached by ferry from the R�dhus. Its main attractions are two amazingly preserved Viking longships retrieved from ritual burial mounds. The main exhibit is the Oseberg Ship, thought to be the burial ship of a Viking chieftain's wife. Much of the treasure buried with the boat was retrieved as well, and is also on display in the museum.

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Norwegian Folk Museum: Also on the Bygd�y Peninsula is the Norwegian Folk Museum which is complete with farms and farmhouses and traditional furniture, silverware and china.

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Kon-Tiki Museum: This museum displays the balsawood raft on which Thor Heyerdahl made his legendary 1947 journey across the Pacific, to prove that the first Polynesian settlers could have sailed to Europe from pre-Inca Peru. The museum also contains a collection of archaeological finds from the Easter Islands, East Polynesia, the Galapagos and Peru. More information available from http://www.kon-tiki.no.

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Henrik Ibsen Museum: Situated on Arbiensgate on the outskirts of the city, the Ibsen Museum is situated in the playwright's former house. You can visit via a guided tour where you'll visit his study, which is allegedly exactly as he left it, and the place where he wrote his two final plays John Gabriel Borkman (1896) and When We Dead Awaken (1899). For more information call: 00 47 22 55 20 09.

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Barnekunst Museum (International Children's Art Museum): This houses a vast collection of children's drawings, paintings, ceramics, sculpture, tapestries, and handicrafts from more than 30 countries. Children can get involved in special workshops devoted to painting, drawing, music, and dancing.

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If you wish to visit Oslo, check out the Virtual Oslo website - http://www.virtualoslo.com - it will take you on a tour of the city so you can get your bearings and also give you information on accommodation, transport and events while you're there.

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Q. When is the best time to visit Oslo

A. From May-September you'll experience the brightest days and the most temperate weather conditions. However, if you want to experience something different you can arrange a trip north from Oslo to the Lofoten islands - to experience the midnight sun days (from May to July), when the sun never drops below the horizon so you have constant daylight.

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by Karen Anderson