Stovner Tower offers a new perspective
A bird’s-eye view of Oslo
Photo: Jiri Havran / courtesy of Stovnertårnet
The Stovner Tower provides stunning views of Oslo and the Grorud Valley.
Molly Jones, Seattle
Want to follow the path of the birds for an incredible view of Norway’s capital? You’re in luck. On Oct. 12, the district of Stovner in northeastern Oslo welcomed a new attraction: the Stovner Tower. As you meander along the 260-meter-long circling walkway, you’ll gradually climb 15 meters up in the air where you’ll find yourself walking among the treetops.
The design of the tower—called Stovnertårnet in Norwegian—was inspired by a bird’s flight into the sky. Along the pathway to the top, there are several plateaus representing birds’ nests where you can sit with your friends, relax, and enjoy the view. And what a view it is! In addition to a great perspective overlooking the trees and hills of the Grorud Valley, the view stretches all the way to the Oslo Fjord.
The posts that support the structure also serve as birdhouses for local species like the common swift, a type of bird that thrives as part of a flock. The walkway is accessible for disabled visitors and is also lined with railings more than a meter high, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for all. In the evening, the Stovner Tower comes to life in a whole new manner with captivating lights that serve to both emphasize its interweaving path and keep everyone safe.
The tower is near the Stovner shopping center by the Fossumberget mountain and can be easily reached from Oslo’s city center in just about 30 minutes by taking metro No. 5 to the Stovner stop. Even better is that the experience is free and open all day year-round.
Photo: Jiri Havran / courtesy of Stovnertårnet
The Stovner Tower is open year-round, both day and night.
“Stovner and Holmenkollen both have spectacular views of the city,” says Head of the District Committee Rashid Nawaz to Vårt Oslo. “Through the tower we’re clarifying this for the whole capital and creating a local attraction that I hope brings children, the elderly, and all curious people to Stovner to see how wonderful it is here.”
The creative force behind the tower is the landscape architects at LINK Arkitektur, an architecture firm known for combining modern architecture with natural landscapes. It was built in collaboration with the District of Stovner and the Municipality of Oslo’s Agency for Urban Environment, and funding was provided by the city’s Groruddalen project and the Agency for Urban Development.
The Groruddalen project is meant to contribute to improved services and local environments with the ultimate goal that residents will become more economically independent and participate more actively in their community. The project was first started in 2007 and has been extended to 2026.
“The Groruddalen project has led to a transformation of the Stovner city center area. Together with Fossumparken in front of Stovner Senter and Jesperudjordet activity park, the Stovner Tower provides new and exciting opportunities for urban outdoor life,” says Councilor for Urban Development Hanna E. Marcussen, who was present at the official opening of the tower, to Vårt Oslo.
If you’re looking to see Oslo from a new angle, Stovner Tower may be just the right attraction for you.
Molly Jones started at The Norwegian American the week she completed her BA in Norwegian and Communication from the University of Washington and quickly became the newspaper’s Assistant Editor. She currently works as an editor at Nordstrom.
This article originally appeared in the Dec. 29, 2017, issue of The Norwegian American. To subscribe, visit SUBSCRIBE or call us at (206) 784-4617.
