"An iconic symbol of the city..." Holmenkollen Tip by sourbugger

Oslo is somewhat lacking is striking images compared to other European capitals, but the Ski jump seems to fit the bill for this Scandanavian city.

Competitions have been held here for over a hundred years. The length of the jump has steadily been extended over the years. From what I could work out it has even doubled since the jump featured in the 1952 olympic games.

Entry to the area includes a visit to a ski museum, and of course an ascent to the top of the jump from which there are amazing views of the city set in it's own fjord.

You have to climb the last 100 steps or so right to the very top, and only when they are not practicing.

I presume that part of the training for this sport involves a full-frontal lobotomy. How anybody with any operating brain cells can launch themselves off one of these things is beyond me. Eddie the Eagle ? more like Eddie the complete nutter.

Address: on metro line 1
Directions: The jump is about a 10-minute walk uphill from the metro station