The city of Trondheim is located in the central region of Norway, at the mouth Nidelva River. The first settlement of Trondheim was founded during the Viking Age in 997. Today, Trondheim is a flourishing city populated by more than 20,000 students attracted by its technology based teaching institutions. Being the first capital of the country, Trondheim is indeed a special place that played a key role in Norwegian history and culture.
The Grand Cathedral
Nidaros Cathedral is the biggest medieval church in the Scandinavian region. It was the site for the Norwegian traditional coronation until it was repealed in 1908. It also became a burial site for the last members of the royal family. The cathedral features a great fusion of medieval architecture. It has a Romanesque transcept, corbels with exquisite carvings and an Early Gothic octagon, nave and choir. At present, Nidaros is considered a Lutheran Church of Norway’s parish church.
Every year, more than 400,000 tourists flock to Trondheim to witness the magnificence of the cathedral up close. Hundreds of pilgrims also travel their way to Nidaros to visit the relics of the famous Viking king and Saint, St. Olav Haraldson. The St. John’s Chapel is the oldest feature of the cathedral. The chapel was believed to be as old as 1161 and was originally dedicated to St. Sylvester and St. John.
Museum Hopping
Trondheim is also known for its grand museums, so it is highly recommended that you take the time to go to some of them during your visit. One of the more prominent ones is the Trondheim Museum of Arts, which houses the third largest public art collection in Norway.
Rongve Museum is another national museum that exhibits both traditional music instruments and modern technology for light and sound. Other notable museums are the National Museum of Decorative Arts, Rockheim and Trondheim Science Museum.
The Wooden Mansions
The wooden mansions, which were made during the medieval age, are very well-preserved and can be seen in various parts of the city. The more charming and physically appealing mansions can be found in Hospitalsl kkan Ila, Bakklandet and Ilsvik ra. However, the mother of all wooden mansions is the Stiftsgården, which was once the royal residence of previous kings. It is about the same size as the wood hotel of Singsaker.
The Resort Island
Once you are done with historical sightseeing and museum exploration, you can head out to the island of Munkholmen. A former historic fortress island, Munkholmen is now filled with a wide range of resorts and hotels. People from the urban jungle, escape to the island for picnics, swimming and sunbathing.
Getting There and Around
The city has an international airport that serves regular flights and is about 30 km from the city center. Trondheim can also be accessed by train from other major Norwegian cities like Oslo. Getting around Trondheim is convenient as it has an extensive and reliable bus system that covers the main areas of the city.
There is also a local tram line that operates in some key spots like Bymarla forests and Lian. Guided tours are always available, but it is also very feasible for you to embark on an independent journey to discover the various attractions. The city has numerous tourist information offices that provide relevant information and other types of assistance to visitors.
