Oslo is the capital and largest city of Norway, and the third largest city of Scandinavia. The history of the city can be traced back over 1000 years, although according to the chronicles of Snorre Sturlason, Oslo was founded in 1048, by the king Harald Hardråde. The city became capital of Norway around 1300, but lost its privileges during the Danish-Norwegian union from 1348 to 1814. In 1624, a fire devastated old Oslo, and the city was moved some kilometres west to gain protection from the fortress at Akershus. The city was renamed Christiania, a name that remained until it was officially renamed on January 1st 1925 to Oslo.