About Rådmannsgården

Rådmannsgården (the council’s courtyard) in Rådhusgaten 19 is the oldest preserved building in the so-called Kvadraturen, the oldest part of Christiania (Oslo). The building is situated on Christiania torv, facing Rådhusgaten and Nedre slottsgate. Oslo Kunstforening has been located in these premises since 1936.

The anchor plates on the facade of the annex towards Nedre slottsgate date the building to 1626, the entire facility was probably completed this year for councilman Lauritz Hansen. Originally, the property stretched further back into the quarter. The main building is on two floors with exterior brick walls of imported Dutch bricks. Color shifts in the tiles, predominantly red and yellow, give the brickwork an alternating red and yellow appearance. The original cloister towards the backyard was later during the 1600s replaced by the current stairwell built in bricked studwork. The house has a steep roof with dormers and high gables with blind arcades. Originally they had curved contours and sandstone ornaments in Danish-Dutch Renaissance style. The building has an asymmetrically positioned bay window towards Rådhusgaten. The wing towards Nedre slottsgate was originally detached into one and a half floor, but was extended into two in 1782. This wing had a bay window as well, but it was demolished in the 1800s.

During restorations in the 1950s, the old window sashes from the 1600s were replaced with 1700s style latticed windows.

The University Library in Oslo and the Oslo Public Library has been located here. From the 1850s the building was used by the Garrison Hospital. In 1936 the City of Oslo bought the building, and Oslo Kunstforening has been renting the premises ever since.