Oslo City Hall

Few people know to go inside, but Oslo's City Hall is one of the most beautiful buildings in Europe. The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded here (the only Nobel prize awarded outside of Sweden) and the interior walls are completely covered in vibrant murals detailing Norwegian daily life and significant moments in history, including the fire in 1624 that destroyed much of Oslo and the Nazi occupation during World War II. Opened in 1950, the building has a somewhat drab, imposing exterior, but the inside, which was painted by 20 artisans, is a work of art, with even the ceilings decorated in an ornate fashion (also a nod to Norway’s wealth – historically the most overlooked part of the building is still lavishly designed).