The history of Bjørvika

The name “Bjørvika” originates from the Norse word – Bæjarvik – which translates into “city bay”. The area is a cornerstone of the history of Oslo, ranging from the Middle Age up until modern times.

Oslo was first founded on the fields where the Alna River met the Oslo Fjord. This place was suitable for a new town, located as an intermediate point between the sea and the rich inland villages of the southeast part of Norway. Located in the innermost area of the Oslo Fjord, the banks of the Alna River also offered the possibility of developing fishing and boatbuilding.

The city flourished and became the Episcopal seat and cathedral city in 1100. However, the estimated population of Oslo in 1300 was no more than 3,000. The Akershus Fortress was built as a royal castle in 1299. The small city was mainly built up of wooden houses, but it also had six churches, three monasteries, one bishop’s palace and a royal estate constructed with stones and tiles.

The Black Death peaked around 1350 and cut Oslo’s population in half, marking the beginning of a recession period. Towards the end of the 14th century, the city was in serious decline, and the number of inhabitants sank dramatically. In addition to this, the reformation in 1536 significantly reduced the city’s financial position. Moreover, Oslo was the scene of a series of big fires up until 1624.

After the city fire in 1624, King Christian IV seized the opportunity to build a new city – Christiania – on the western side of Bjørvika. With this decision came the end of Medieval Oslo. A new law imposed the use of bricks in all constructions as well as introducing a rectangular street network. Christiania could easier be defended by Akershus Fortress, and the new city also made it possible to build new docks and a larger harbour to meet the demands of the growing export of timber.

The development of the city in the 16th and 17th centuries was predominantly based on various types of timber trade and export. Yet, the population was still moderate, with less than 9,000 inhabitants in 1801. The city was to a large extent a residential city, with the most attractive properties located in the Bjørvika area – facing the city harbour.

Christiania did not experience an increase in its population until into the 19th century. By then, the city had become the capital of a new nation state (1814). The industrialization, which began in 1840, was at first principally concentrated around the Aker River. This resulted in a large growth in the population, and the development of a modern infrastructure, including the railroad and port. The Quadrature – now the centre of Christiania – was also the subject of a transformation, which implied that apartments had to give way for offices.

From 1835–1890, the population of Christiania increased from 18,000 to 151,000 inhabitants; the strongest growth in the history of Oslo. The districts of Grønland and Enerhaugen north of the Nyland industrial area, were built as suburbs in the period from 1850–1859. They were integrated as parts of the city together with the areas alongside the northbound Aker River (Grünerløkka, Sagene, Torshov). Previously, approx 1794, the city limit did not stretch further than to the eastern bank of the river.

The development of communication was a major contributor to Christiania’s dominant financial position around 1900. It quickly became the heart of Norway’s railroad network, and transportation by sea and road was heavily modernised to respond to the rapid growth. The Oslo Fjord was kept ice-free all year long, thanks to an icebreaker. The development of all sectors reinforced the city’s position as the country’s most important exponent to the outside world. By 1900, Christiania also surpassed the city of Bergen as the most important shipping port in Norway.

Around 1960, the motoring had started to take its toll and demanded a more efficient road network. This resulted in the decision to add another layer of heavy infrastructure between the city and the Fjord. The main roads running through Bjørvika, as we know them today, were completed in 1970. The railroad system was also significantly expanded, and Oslo Central Station and the tunnel of Oslo (railroad) were both completed and brought into use in 1980. The use of the port changed considerably as its main functions became more efficient and mechanised.

Once an integrated part of the inner city life of Oslo, the port areas were turned into rational industry and storage areas, physically secluded from the citizens. The remnants of Medieval Oslo became invisible due to the massive development of the road and railroad infrastructure, adding to the feeling of separation of the seaside and the city streets.

The E18, which stretches 1,700 meters from Bjørvika to Bispevika along the waterfront, represents a physical and, to a great extent, visual barrier preventing the inner city from reaching the Fjord. In Bjørvika, this barrier will be removed next summer!