Karl Johans gate

Karl Johans gate is the main street of Oslo. It is named after King Charles III John, who was also King of Sweden as Charles XIV John, and received the name in 1852, shortly after his death. Its wider western section was laid out in the 1840s as an avenue linking the newly built Royal Palace at Slottsplassen with the rest of the city. Together with the palace square, the street is the main venue for the celebrations of Norway's Constitution Day on 17 May, for royal events and for other celebrations.

The street joins several older thoroughfares. Its eastern section belonged to Christian IV's original city by the old ramparts, which were removed to make way for Oslo Cathedral. When the Norwegian parliament building was completed in 1866 where the two formerly separate streets met, they were joined and the whole length took the name Karl Johans gate. At the western end, in front of the Royal Palace, stands the king's equestrian statue by the sculptor Brynjulf Bergslien, erected in 1875.