The traditional mountain village of Røros in Trøndelag is one of the oldest towns of wooden buildings in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Røros came into existence in 1644, after the first copper discovery in the area. Over the years, it became one of the most important mining towns in Norway.
Norway: Trondheim
About Trondheim
There are two kings in particular who have had a major impact on Trondheim’s history. The first is the city’s founder, Olav Tryggvason, who was King of Norway from 995 to 1000. He founded Trondheim in 997, and today the statue of Olav Tryggvason stands high above the city’s central meeting point, Torvet. Before he became king, he took part in several Viking expeditions. In particular, he travelled to England in the 990s, from where he brought great wealth back to Norway.
Olav Haraldsson was king of Norway from 1015 to 1028. He was made a saint after his death and is best known today as Olav the Holy or St Olav. He played an important role in the introduction of Christianity in Norway, but also he embarked on a Viking expedition, the first time when he was just 12 years old. In England, he took part in the conquest and plundering of Canterbury. After his death, he became a national saint when he fell at the Battle of Stiklestad on 29 July 1030, and miracles began to occur with his body. The Nidaros Cathedral was built over his burial site, and the city eventually became one of Europe’s most important pilgrimage destinations.
Moving forward to the present day. Trondheim stands out with its progressive nature and vibrant city life, while still embodying its small town heart. It’s Norway’s third largest city, with just over 200,000 inhabitants.
How to get to Trondheim
- Plane
The quickest and most convenient way to get to Trondheim is by flying to Trondheim International Airport (Værnes). The airport has direct flights to and from most Norwegian airports and several international cities. The most common route is from Oslo, with around 30 daily departures. You can also fly directly to Trondheim from Amsterdam, Copenhagen, and Stockholm. - Train
You can take a train from Oslo, Bodø, or many other Norwegian cities. The Dovre train line takes about 7 hours to travel the 341 miles (548 km) from Oslo to Trondheim. Trains depart hourly from the airport and take about 35 minutes to travel to the city centre - Bus
There are several daily bus departures from Oslo and other major cities to Trondheim. The travel time from Oslo is around 8 hours.
- Car
You can drive from Oslo to Trondheim on Rv3. The distance is 290 miles (470 km) and takes around 6 and a half hours without stopping. - Boat
The coastal express Hurtigruten calls daily at Trondheim, both north-bound and south-bound.
Things to do
We were only staying in Trondheim for a couple of nights, which gave us a day to explore the city. Without much of a plan, we jumped on a bus and headed into the central part of the city. It was early on a Saturday morning and things were just starting to get going. Alighting the bus, we started walking in the general direction of the cathedral. This weekend there was a beer festival in town and already people were queuing to get it. Having lived in Bend, one of the beer capitals of the United States, and never visited the beer festival there we were not too interested in going into this one, especially as we knew there would not be many of the dark beers we love on offer. Instead, we carried on walking. There was a street market going on selling a wide variety of traditional goods – much of which was not vegan-friendly, such as salmon and reindeer meat. But it was still fun to wander around and look at the booths.
Nidaros Cathedral
When we reached the cathedral, we were blown away. It was totally different to anything else we’d seen in Scandinavia. Most of the churches and cathedrals we’d seen were simple and stark, based on Lutheran traditions, this building was more typical of a cathedral you would find in France or Italy. Trondheim Cathedral, more correctly called Nidaros Cathedral is Norway’s national shrine and is a gothic masterpiece. Nidaros’ front façade looms over the square that sits outside its main entrance and is covered with several rows of ornate sculptures.
The cathedral is built over the tomb of St. Olav, the Viking king who converted Norway to Christianity and became “Norway’s Eternal King”. Throughout the Middle Ages, this was a towering symbol of religious faith and the powerful position of the Church. The work on Nidaros Cathedral began in 1070 and was completed around 1300. In the early 1800s, after several fires and lack of maintenance, the cathedral was in very poor shape. In 1868 it was determined that the cathedral should be rebuilt as a national symbol and work began the following year. The restoration of Nidaros Cathedral has been going on for 150 years and the work continues to this day.
It hadn’t been our intention to visit the inside of the cathedral when we came into town, but having seen the building from the outside we decided it was worth paying the entry fee. We decided to upgrade our tickets for the combo pass into the Archbishop’s Palace Museum and the Royal Regalia exhibition.
As if the outside of Nidaros Cathedral had not been impressive the inside was even more spectacular. The interior of the building is kept quite dark, but there is enough light to appreciate the Gothic and Romanesque features of the medieval chapter house, the chapels and two altars. The stained-glass windows were exceptional, the centrepiece being the huge rose window that we’d seen from the outside on the western front of the cathedral.
The Archbishop’s Palace Museum
Adjacent to Nidaros Cathedral is the Archbishop’s Palace which was built in the 12th century and was expanded several times over the years. Today, it is mostly used as a space for museums. The building is set around a square, which was being cleaned up as we arrived from the St Olaf’s festival from the previous week – which we sadly missed. The Archbishop’s Palace Museum is home to some of the original statues and artefacts from the Cathedral. The statues we’d seen on Nidaros Cathedral’s west front are all new, being placed there by a large team of sculptors between 1905 and 1983. It was great to be able to get close up to the older sculptures, which were in various states of repair. The museum also had some scale models of the cathedral over the years of its development, from a small church to the cathedral we see today and many religious relics from the long history of the cathedral. One of my favourite parts of this museum was the excavated old mint, which this part of the Archbishop’s Palace was built around. They had uncovered part of the original mosaic floor which was stunning. The Archbishop here, pre-reformation, was a powerful person with a diocese that extended beyond Norway to cover places such as Iceland, the Shetland Islands, and the Isle of Man. He was also allowed to mint his own coins, hence there was a mint here on this site.
The Crown Regalia
Just across the way from the Archbishop’s Palace Museum is the Crown Regalia exhibit. This is Norway’s equivalent of the British Royal Family crown jewels at the Tower of London, without the security and crowds. On display here were the King’s crown and the other items that make up the Regalia of Norway. The King’s crown was acquired by King Charles III John for his coronation in 1818. The crown has since been used for four coronations and two benedictions.
The Old Town Bridge
Gamle Bybro (The Old Town Bridge) was first built on this site in 1681 at the same time as the Kristiansten Fort was constructed.
Gamle Bybro connects the City Center With Bakklandet, and crosses the river Nidelva from the south end of Kjøpmannsgata. It was built in 1681 in connection with Cicignon’s town reorganisation, and was positioned so that it could be reached by cannons from Kristiansten Fortress. A guardhouse and customs house stood at each end of the bridge. The customs house on the west side still stands and is now used as a kindergarten. Gamle Bybro has undergone several modifications, and the bridge and gates as they stand now date from 1861.
The historic wharves
Wharves, warehouses and boathouses have stood at the mouth of the Nidelva River since the earliest times.
The locals traded goods here from near and far. In King Sverre’s day, the wharves were also used as defences. Barriers and corridors were built down by the river from where stones could be thrown at the enemy. Details about rules and restrictions were stated in Magnus Lagabøte’s bylaw of 1276. The old wharf buildings that have been preserved line both sides of the Nidelva – in Kjøpmannsgata, Bakklandet, Fjordgata and Sandgata – and the oldest of these date from the 18th century.
Bakklandet
Across the City Bridge is the district known as Bakklandet or the old city. Here there were some very quaint houses, shops, and restaurants.
Trampe Cyclocable
Our main reason for coming to Bakklandet was to see the Trampe Bicycle Lift, the world’s first such lift, which Karen had found on YouTube. The lift was put in to help cyclists ascend a very steep hill leading up from the river. It was not difficult to find the lift, but sadly no one was there using it, and we didn’t have a bicycle to try it ourselves – and it looked far from being straightforward to use. So, we had to satisfy ourselves by continuing our walk around Bakklandet.
Stiftsgården
Stiftsgården is the King’s official residence in Trondheim. It is centrally situated on the city’s most important thoroughfare, Munkegaten, north of the main square. The palace was built in the 18th century and is one of the largest wooden buildings in Scandinavia.
Stiftsgården is the official Royal Residence in Trondheim, where the Royal Family lives if they are visiting the city or the region of Trøndelag. The building is a magnificent example of 18th architecture. It was built between 1774 and 1778 for Lady Cecilie Christine Schøller (1720-1786), an ambitious widow of chamberlain Stie Tønsberg Schøller. Lady Schøller was a representative of the cultural and commercial growth that Trondheim experienced in the late 18th century, and an example of the city’s prominent and enlightened social elite.
The best time to visit Trondheim
Detailing Trondheim’s atmospheric situation reveals a location slotted into the Subarctic climate zone, according to the Köppen classification. With the label Dfc, it indicates the landscapes are besieged by severe winters with a noticeable absence of a dry season while summers are tepid at best. Trondheim nestles in the Norway’s mid-coast region with the Norwegian Sea as its eternal neighbor.
Weather experiences in Trondheim transpire in full circle throughout the year, conditioned heavily by its northerly position and the sea’s influence. Temperatures swerve from a biting -5°C (23°F), observed frequently during the icy winters, and top at a relatively mild 17°C (62.6°F) in the heart of summer. Rainfall exhibits mild fluctuations throughout the year, shifting from 53mm (2.09″) in May to a maximum of 133mm (5.24″) in September. Rain frequents Trondheim’s days, averaging a tally of 17 to 24 rainy days each month, affirming its absence of a dry season. Ostensibly led by the seasonal length of the day, the amount of sunshine varies significantly between a low of 0 hours in December and January, up to a maximum of 7 hours in May and June.
The best time to visit Trondheim
The most favorable period to visit Trondheim extends from May to August. Temperatures during this stretch stabilize between 12°C (53.6°F) and 17°C (62.6°F), creating a comfortable atmosphere for sightseeing. Daylight hours raise to their zenith with June offering an impactful 20.4 daylight hours. Sea temperatures from June to August hover between 12.3°C (54.1°F) to 14.8°C (58.6°F), opening a window for bracing sea experiences. Rainfall is comparatively lower during these summer months, with May recording the least precipitation of 53mm (2.09″).
The worst time to visit Trondheim
Observers may find Trondheim’s winter months from November to March less attractive for leisure pursuits. Temperatures plunge irredeemably down to -5°C (23°F). The icy grip of winter attains its fullest expression in these months. Rainy days are numerous, and rainfall amount peaks towards the upper end of its yearly range, particularly in December with 123mm (4.84″) of precipitation. While the surreal Northern Lights might lure the weather-hardened adventurer, daylight hours dip to their yearly minimum, sliding down to 4.7 hours in December.
Where to stay in Trondheim
1. Mid Range: Scandic Solsiden
This eco-friendly hotel is centrally located in the vibrant Solsiden district of Trondheim, 10 minutes’ walk from Central Station. It offers a generous breakfast buffet, a shop and free Wi-Fi internet access.
Guest rooms at Scandic Solsiden feature a fridge, Pay TV access and a bathroom with shower.
Scandic’s breakfast buffet includes organic options. Snacks and light dishes are available in the bar. In addition, Scandic’s 24-hour lobby shop sells drinks, snacks and a variety of necessities.
The River Nidelven is just 328 feet’ from the hotel, while Trondheim’s picturesque Old Town is within 5 minutes’ walk.
2. Luxury – Britannia Hotel
Dating back to 1870, this elegant hotel is 5 minutes’ walk from Trondheim Central Station. It provides luxury spa facilities and 4 restaurants. Wi-Fi is free.
Britannia Hotel’s rooms mix classic décor with modern comforts. All rooms have a writing desk, flat-screen TV and tea/coffee facilities. Guests can enjoy a 24-hour room service.
The Britannia Spa & Wellness Center offers special treatments, massages and saunas. A swimming pool, minerals pool and gym are also found on site.
Britannia Hotel is located in the city center in walking distance to shops and restaurants. The 11th-century Nidaros Cathedral is 1640 feet away.
3. Budget -Rumi Hostel
This modern style hostel is your home away from home with an unformal social area, fully equipped guest kitchen, self-servied laundrey facilities and parking garage.
Trondheim city center is located only 0.7 mi away. Solsiden restaurant and shopping area is located 1969 ft away, while the nearest supermarked only 1312 ft away.
More to Explore
