Christiania Square, or Market Square, received its name in 1958 in honour of the Danish and Norwegian King Christian IV, who was the founder of Oslo, the design of which he was personally involved in. By his decision, the city was enclosed by bastions and formed a single defence belt together with the fortress of Akershus. A distinctive feature of the new city was the perpendicular arrangement of the streets. However, the most important and significant decision was the prohibition of wooden buildings by Christian IV forbade the construction of wooden buildings to avoid the possibility of fires that could destroy the city.
Christiania Square is one of the most visited places in Oslo. At its very centre is the famous fountain by sculptor Gulbradsen in the shape of King Christian IV's glove, pointing to the spot where the new city was to be laid out. There are historic buildings here, such as the colourful Rathman's Manor (Rathman is an elected member of the magistrate), which today houses the Oslo Artists' Association. Opposite is the Old Town Hall, which houses the Theatre Museum and a restaurant.
In 1990, after the construction of the motorway tunnel was completed, Christiania Square was transformed from a square with perpetual traffic jams into a quiet and cosy place with restaurant verandas inspired by the breath of the 17th century.
