Einar Gerhardsens plass

Oslo's government quarter square — site of the 22 July 2011 car bombing that killed eight people, now a place of remembrance.

Named after Einar Gerhardsen, Norway's most influential post-war prime minister, this square in Oslo's government quarter was scarred into history on 22 July 2011 when a car bomb exploded here, killing eight people. It was the opening act of the deadliest terrorist attack in Norway since World War II, followed by the massacre at Utøya island. Surrounding government buildings were heavily damaged, and several have since been demolished. Memorial markers now stand on the square, which sits at the heart of ongoing discussions about how the government quarter should be rebuilt and remembered.