Christian IV
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The man towering on the pedestal above you is King Christian IV of Denmark and Norway, and the longest reigning king in Norway. He was only 11 years old when he ascended the throne and held it for a full 60 years. Christian IV was born a prince at Frederiksborg Castle in 1577. The King received a thorough education. He mastered several languages and had knowledge in mathematics, history, and music. A separate guardian government ruled the countries until Christian IV was crowned on his 18th birthday. After the city fire in 1624, in what was old Oslo, he founded a new city in the shelter of Akershus Fortress. This city was named Christiania after him from August 1624, a name the city retained until 1925. Both Kongsberg and Kristiansand were named after him. The King traveled a lot in Norway and accomplished much, like establishing a customs system, a Norwegian army, and Kongsberg silver mines, to name a few. Christian IV was married to Queen Anna Catherine of Brandenburg in Germany, and they had three children together. He had more children through relationships outside of marriage. All of these children were given the surname Gyldenløve. Christian IV died in 1648.