The Empire House and garden

There has been a house on this little island in the river since 1650. 

In the 18th century it was enlarged and gained its present appearance

 and is often, today,  referred to as The Empire House.

It lies, like a sleeping beauty on this little island, between the Old Town and the modern town. 

The plans for the garden were drawn-up in 1750 and were faithfully followed when planting the garden we see today.

At the water's edge there is a tiny summerhouse.

The garden is planted with edible, medicinal and decorative plants

and is an oasis of order and calm

 where you can hear the regular swish as the waterwheel nearby churns its paddles in the river

while sitting watching the boats pass by.

The island can be reached by a small bridge and although the house and its surrounding buildings are used by the University of Oslo anyone can visit the garden.  Surprisingly, few do.

Anna