The bazaars

This building has always been bustling with activity, and it exudes old history, quite literally. The distinctive name, the Bazaars, comes from the building's original use as butcher's stalls. It still has a certain aroma today, but not exactly of fresh meat - rather, the delightful odors of food and drink from around the world. The building was erected between the years 1840 and 1859, with over 50 butcher's stalls. Oslo was experiencing rapid growth with a massive influx of people, and in the years from 1850 to 1900, the city grew from 30 thousand to 230 thousand people. A bazaar is a market, often with an overbuilding. The name originates from Persia about 5 thousand years ago. The rapid population growth not only led to the expansion of this building, but more bazaars were also established in other parts of the city, including at Youngstorget. A beloved child has many names. The Bazaars were also known as Kirkeristen, named after an old bridge from the 1700s that was laid from here to the Oslo Cathedral cemetery. The bridge had open wooden bars to prevent animals from crossing over to the cemetery.