The Unseen Cities

01/01/2026

BARCELONA

This page began as The Oslo Book — rooted in the city of Oslo — and is now transformed into The Unseen Cities, which will show you hidden gems in some of the world’s most beautiful places shaped by art, history, and its talented people.

Our first recommendation takes you to Barcelona — to one of its lesser-known treasures: Recinte Modernista de Sant Pau.

Designed in the early 20th century by Lluís Domènech i Montaner, it was conceived as a modern hospital where architecture, light, air, and gardens were part of the healing process. The complex consists of separate pavilions connected by underground passages — an advanced and human-centred idea for its time.

After closing as a hospital in 2009, Sant Pau was carefully restored and reopened as a cultural and civic space, with a renovation budget of 100 million euros, supported by Catalan government and institutions.

Today, it offers a quieter alternative to Barcelona’s crowded landmarks, with exceptional Art Nouveau details, open space, and time to look.

Learn more from their website: https://santpaubarcelona.org/en/recinte-modernista/qui-som/

24/12/2016

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from The Unseen Cities to you, our readers! We wish you the most beautiful holidays and a wonderful year! Thank you for being with us!
The attached images are the photos of the heroes of our Oslo guide. Check for more in www.theoslobook.no and enjoy their stories!

12/12/2016

This is Kamzy. She is just 28 and she is the Deputy Mayor of Oslo. She is open, full of energy and enthusiasm. And if, by the way, you have something important to share with her, we have her business card inside the article.
Wish to know more about Oslo and its people? Read TheOsloBook.no and follow us theoslobook.no.

CC: Khamshajiny Gunaratnam Khamshajiny Gunaratnam Dina Johnsen Former Koveshnikova Lauren Guido

Oslo is home to some of the most interesting people in Norway. TheOsloBook has launched a new series in the personalities section called, “A Day in the Life”, which will give you a glimpse into the…

18/11/2016

A POLITICIAN OF THE XXI CENTURY
Meet the youngest of all times Deputy Mayor of Oslo - Khamshajiny Gunaratnam (Kamzy) who tells TheOsloBook.no about her work.
Kamzy is a m a z i n g! The interview is out next week. Stay tuned!

CC: Khamshajiny Gunaratnam Dina Johnsen Former Koveshnikova Lauren Guido

14/11/2016

CHRISTMAS IS IN THE AIR
Learn about our best Christmas markets & enjoy Oslo

The first snow has already fallen and the holiday season is just around the corner. Stock up on your holiday gifts at Oslo’s top 5 Christmas markets. Not only is it fun to buy local, but you’ll als…

31/10/2016

1 - 6 November: OSLO WORLD MUSIC FESTIVAL
Oslo World Music Festival brings global stars to the intimate venues of the capital of Norway. During the 6 day festival, over 300 artists will perform at 18 venues across Oslo. It’s a festival that offers much more than just music, but an opportunity to be part of a social movement. Check in the article for FREE ENTRANCES for seminars and a concert for kids!

CC: Lauren Guido​ Oslo World Music Festival ​ Dina Johnsen Former Koveshnikova​ Nancy A. Haave Gee Berry​ Alexandra Archetti Stølen

Oslo World Music Festival brings global superstars to the intimate venues of our small city. During the 6 day festival, over 300 artists will perform at 18 venues across Oslo. It’s a festival that …

11/10/2016

“Everyone talks about that: ‘human lives are so valuable’. And I see all these sentences on paper, but I often wonder whether people really understand the costs of having had a job, a car, a house, a family, and suddenly ending up from there to a settlement in the Beqaa Valley where all you have is an old cell phone with a photo of the family you used to have.” Liv Tørres, the director of the Nobel Peace Center.
Find the interview here: http://theoslobook.no/2016/10/07/liv-torres/

CC: Liv Tørres Ingvill Bryn Rambøl Nobels Fredssenter | Nobel Peace Center Dina Johnsen Former Koveshnikova Gee Berry

07/10/2016

PEOPLE OF OSLO, NORWAY:
Meet Liv Tørres, the director of the Nobel Peace Center in Oslo! If you want to know what Norway is today, read this interview.

Follow us on social media theoslobook.no and visit Norway.

CC: Liv Tørres Ingvill Bryn Rambøl Dina Johnsen Former Koveshnikova Gee Berry Nobel Prize Nobel Peace Prize Nobels Fredssenter | Nobel Peace Center

Liv Tørres, Executive Director of the Nobel Peace Center in Oslo, is an active voice in Norwegian contemporary debate within topics related to international politics, the refugee crisis, and leader…

27/09/2016

30.09 - 8.10 OKTOBERFEST in Oslo!

If you can’t make it to Germany for Oktoberfest this year fear not, Chateau Neuf has you covered. Oktoberfest 2016 is similar to the Munich original but with a Norwegian twist!
Stay tuned! Like us theoslobook.no

CC: Chateau Neuf Joell Isaah Serrano

If you can’t make it to Germany for Oktoberfest this year fear not, Chateau Neuf has you covered. Oktoberfest 2016 is similar to the Munich original but with a Norwegian twist. This year marks the …

23/09/2016

NOMINATED FOR OSCAR
Read our interview with a Norwegian filmmaker Erik Poppe about his latest film, The King's Choice (Kongens Nei). Erik Poppe reveals the story behind the film.

Want to know more about Oslo and its most interesting people? Like theoslobook.no

CC: Erik Poppe Kongens Nei - møt manusforfatter, se filmen Agnete Brun
Lauren Guido Gee Berry Dina Johnsen Former Koveshnikova Nancy Angelique Haave

Norwegian filmmaker Erik Poppe was born in Oslo in 1960, graduating in 1989 with a degree in cinematography from the Dramatiska Institutet, Stockholm. After a career as a cinematographer and press …