17/06/2026
The Norwegian Parliament Building, officially called the Storting (Stortingsbygningen). After Norway adopted its constitution in 1814, Parliament met in a series of borrowed buildings for more than 50 years. By the 1850s, it was clear that the growing legislature needed a permanent home of its own.
An architectural competition was held in 1856 but the winning design was initially rejected because MPs thought it looked too much like a church. Instead, Parliament chose a bold design by Swedish architect Emil Victor Langlet.Construction began in 1860, the cornerstone was laid in 1861, and the building officially opened on 5 March 1866.
During the German invasion of Norway in 1940, Parliament fled Oslo and met briefly elsewhere before continuing its work in exile. The building itself was occupied by German authorities during the occupation.
The two famous granite lions outside the entrance were carved in 1865 by prisoners from Akershus Fortress under professional supervision. They gave rise to the nickname “Løvebakken” (“The Lion Hill”), which Norwegians still use as a shorthand term for Parliament.
The placement of the Parliament, the University, and the Palace , all in close proximity was deliberately planned in the 1800s to create the political and ceremonial heart of modern Oslo.
