Vardøgata
Vardøgata fra Trondheimsveien (1939). Photographer unknown
Vardøgata is a small street located in the Rodeløkka neighbourhood of the Grünerløkka district in Oslo, Norway. It runs from Trondheimsveien to Tromsøgata. The buildings in its two small blocks are very varied, with both apartment buildings, wooden houses and more modern blocks. This diversity reflects the rich history and evolution of the area.
Pastor Rode
Rodeløkka did not exist prior to 1860 and as of 1854 the area was known as Colletsløkken. Fredrik Rode, who came from Gjerpen in Telemark, purchased a part of this area in 1854. He set up a summerhouse on what is now the corner of Tromsøgata and Vardøgata, with the address Tromsøgata 7. This house was later moved in the 1980s to a plot of land in the middle of Langgata. The area of Rodeløkka was named after Fredrik Rode. The house, described as having a "grotesque application of Gothic details combined with considerable Baroque and a hint of Empire," stood uninhabited and decaying until it was relocated to preserve its unique architecture.
The transformation of Rodeløkka began in earnest when Rode, after falling out of favour, sold half of his property in 1859 to three industrious blacksmiths. They divided the land into plots, which were sold off, leading to a surge in construction. By 1865, there were 141 inhabited houses, housing around 1,700 people. This rapid development led to Rodeløkka becoming known as a 'wooden town,' characterised by its quaint, village-like atmosphere amidst Oslo's urban setting.
Vardøgata 5
Previously home to 'Meieribolagets Varer', Vardøgata 5 is notable for its historical significance. The building served as a home to 'Meieribolagets Varer', a dairy goods company, which reflects the area's past economic activities and local businesses.
Rudolf Nilsen
The poet Rudolf Nilsen lived for a short period of his childhood at Vardøgata 5 in Oslo, from August 1907 until March 1908. This brief residence ties the street to Norwegian literary history, adding a layer of cultural heritage to its identity. Nilsen, known for his evocative poetry, spent his early years in this neighbourhood, which influenced his later works that often depicted the lives of working-class citizens.