Cistercian monks settled on Hovedøya in 1147. Their abbey came to be one of the richest in Norway, eventually owning the estates of Bygdøy, Bogstad, Frogner and Ullern. The abbey was sacked and dissolved in 1532. After that, it gradually became a ruin, and was used as a quarry for Akershus Fortress. Today, there is a desire to protect what remains of the abbey, and the ruins have heritage status. But will they always be protected?
Big plans for Hovedøya
From the early 20th century until the 1960s, there was an ongoing discussion in Oslo about creating a public park and funfair on the island. There was even talk about building a bridge from Oslo. But not all plans come to fruition. On 29 June 1963, Mayor Rolf Stranger opened a new ferry link from Pipervika to Hovedøya. The island still has no funfair, but perhaps, in a way, it has become a public park after all.
Chosen by Øyvind, History student (27)