The oldest building you can find in all of Oslo is Old Aker Church, located just north of the city center. The exact date of its construction is unknown; it is believed to date from the XI-XII century. In any case, the first documented mentions date back to 1080.
It is believed that King Olaf III erected it as the main church of all Vingulmark. The church was built on a site where silver was once mined, and there is even a legend about dragons guarding countless underground treasures.
Aker Church has endured many hardships – it was burned, looted, and destroyed, but it stood firm as a proud symbol of unshakable Christian faith. Visiting this spiritual place evokes a sense of austerity and humility – there are no stucco decorations or precious treasures here: early Christianity was very austere. The limestone walls are very thick, reminding us that in the troubled medieval times any significant structure inherently served as a defensive fortification.
Overall, the church is a traditional three-aisled Romanesque basilica. One of the towers was added in 1861. Inside you will see a Baroque pulpit and an ancient baptismal font, installed in 1715.
