Sentrum in Oslo, Norway — Northern Europe (a Nordic Country in Scandinavia)

Kanonkule / Cannonball

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, June 22, 2023

1. Kanonkule / Cannonball Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

I veggen ovenfor dette skiltet er innmurt en kanonkule som er skutt fra akershus festning under Carl XII's beleiring av byen i 1716. Overført fra tidligere bygning pa tomten.

(English translation:)

A cannon ball fired from Akershus Fortress is embedded in the wall above this sign from the time of Carl XII's siege of the city in 1716. Transferred from an earlier building on the site.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Wars, Non-US. A significant historical year for this entry is 1716.

Location. 59° 54.606′ N, 10° 44.754′ E. Marker is in Oslo. It is in Sentrum. Marker is at the intersection of Tollbugata and Dronningens gate, on the right when traveling west on Tollbugata. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Tollbugata 13, Oslo 0152, Norway. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Norges Storting / The Norwegian Parliament (here, next to this marker); Krigskolen / Military Academy (within shouting distance of this marker); Hotel Du Nord (within shouting distance of this marker); Aftenposten / The Evening Post

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(about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); Dronningens Gate 10 : Aftenposten / The Evening Post (about 120 meters away); Magistratgaarden / Magistrate’s Building (about 120 meters away); Oratoriekoret Cæciliaforeningen / The Cecilia Society Chorus (about 120 meters away); Collettgården / Collett Building (about 120 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Oslo.

Also see . . . Kanonkulen i posthusveggen (DigitaltMuseum, in Norwegian).

Excerpt (in translation): In 1716, the ball was fired from a cannon at Akershus fortress against the Swedes who occupied the city. It missed and got stuck in the wall of Lagmannsgården. When the Post Office was built, it was taken care of and built into the same place.

When the Swedes under Charles XII attempted to conquer Norway in 1716, they soon occupied Christiania (the old name for Oslo), which no one attempted to defend, after the ramparts around the city had been demolished. The Norwegian army sat safely behind the walls of Akershus fortress, which had recently been extended and strengthened. The cannons at Akershus could keep the north-south streets of the city under fire every time a Swede ventured out. This made it almost impossible
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, June 22, 2023

2. Kanonkule / Cannonball Marker - wide view
for the Swedes to advance towards the fortress or move. The siege lasted for about a month, before the Swedes withdrew for this time…

It was inevitable that many cannon shots from Akershus hit the houses in the town. Many house suffered extensive damage, with shots going through through the roofs. The high gables from the 17th century were most exposed, and many collapsed. The war damage in 1716 led to many town houses having modern hipped roofs instead of old-fashioned high gables when they were repaired.

(Submitted on August 13, 2023.)

Kanonkule / Cannonball image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, June 22, 2023

3. Kanonkule / Cannonball

The cannonball is visible here just to the left of the “H” in the Posthallen sign. Also visible is the Norwegian Parliament marker on the pillar.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 20, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 13, 2023, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 724 times since then and 342 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 13, 2023, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.