Brannvakten, Oslo, Norway

Standing: High · Heritage site
Rank: Rank 84 of 3,842

Reviewed by Elena Voss · Roavina Travel Editor

About Brannvakten

Brannvakten, the old fire station at Karl Johans gate 11 beside Oslo Cathedral, was built in unplastered red brick in 1854–1856 together with the Basarene market halls, all designed by the architect Christian H. Grosch. Its tower was used to dry fire hoses. After the great fire of 14 April 1858, which destroyed an area of 40 properties and 1,000 residents between Prinsens gate, Karl Johans gate, Skippergata and Kongens gate, work began on a better fire service, and in the 1860s the new fire brigade of 35 men and a chief moved in. Until 1902 the brigade kept a round-the-clock lookout in the cathedral tower.

Checked 2026-11-05 · Source

Place details and sources

Building: Retail building OpenStreetMap · Checked 2026-09-09
Heritage designation: cultural heritage preservation in Norway Wikidata · Checked 2026-09-09