Trondheim is one of Norway’s largest cities, and it is beautifully laid out between the waters of the Nidelva and the Trondheimsfjord. Its history goes back to Olav Tryggvason’s founding in 997, but archaeological findings suggest that the area has been inhabited even earlier. Trondheim quickly became an important regional center, and in the latter half of the 11th century the city became a bishop’s seat, and Nidaros Cathedral was built at this time. At this time the city was known as Nidaros, and it was elevated to the Archbishopric of Trundum in 1152, a status that lasted until the Reformation in 1537.

Nidaros was also the residence of several kings and barons, and there was prosperity over the centuries, despite many town fires in the 13th century. Later, Christian V laid out a new town plan with straight streets and a central square to prevent the fires, but they continued to rage until the 19th century. Other large constructions were also realized, such as the fortress Kristiansten Fæstning in 1682-1684. In the Danish era, Nidaros had become Trondhjem, but the city’s name was again changed to Nidaros in 1930, which the city and its population opposed, and therefore Trondheim was adopted in 1931.

Today, a visit to Trondheim is a wonderful experience with beautiful nature and many interesting sights. The square named Torvet forms the center of the city, and the square originates from Christian V’s town plan. In the middle of the square, you can see an 18-metre-high monument to Olav Tryggvason, who was Norwegian king and founder of the city. The monument was inaugurated in 1921 in connection with the opening of the railway to Trondheim the day before.

Around Torvet there are mostly modern buildings, but along Kongens gate to the east you can see the older Sommergården from 1774-1777 to the north and Hornemansgården to the south, which was built from 1720. Both houses are fine examples of 18th-century wooden mansions in the city. If you walk along Kongens gate, after Hornemansgården you will come to Church of Our Lady/Vår Frue Kirke, one of Trondheim’s three preserved medieval churches.

The eastern part of the Church of Our Lady was built around the year 1200, while the extension of the nave to the west dates from 1686 and the tower was erected 1739-1742. In the interior you can see a beautiful main altar, the church’s impressive organ and a rococo wall with Christian V’s monogram. If you continue along Kongens gate, you come to Trondheim’s old town hall from 1706 on the left, which is now used as a library.

At the end of Kongens gate you come to the river Nidelva, where you can see the wharves, one of Trondheim’s most beautiful and best-known sights. Bryggene is the name of the many brightly colored commercial houses and warehouses that stand side by side on both sides of the Nidelva on the central river course through the center of the city. The oldest of the houses date back to the middle of the 18th century, but the banks of the river have been inhabited since early Trondheim. On the western side of the river is Kjøpmannsgata street, while Nygata is behind the Bryggene to the east.

On both sides there are places where you can walk between the houses and have a look down the Nidelva. There is also a beautiful view from Gamle Bybro to the south. The bridge dates from 1861 and is worth seeing for the fine wooden portals that previously held up the bridge’s flaps. Further north, you can cross the Nidelva along Bakke Bru, from which there is also a fine view, and north of this are Trondheim’s marinas in the river and inner channels. You can walk a little to the southeast to Kristiansten Fortress, which was built under Christian V in the years 1682-1684. The fortress is as an open structure, from which there is a fine view of the city and the area.

Trondheim’s most famous attraction is Nidaros Cathedral, which is considered one of Norway’s national treasures. The beautiful cathedral was constructed in the period 1070-1300, and it is believed that the church contains the grave of Olav the Saint. The remains of the Norwegian king were the reason for the construction of the church on this site, and over time the cathedral has been a place of pilgrimage and exposed to both fires and major renovations.

The church burned down twice in the 18th century, when only the walls remained. The appearance of the current church is the result of a long reconstruction work, which formally lasted until 2001. The west facade with the two towers was completed in 1965. Immediately south of Nidaros Cathedral is the Erkebispegården, which is a large complex, which from around the year 1200 was the residence of the city’s archbishops.

The residence and surrounding complex were Norway’s ecclesiastical administrative center until the Reformation in 1537, and today you can still see some of the old buildings as well as new buildings that house the local museum. At the museum you can see Norway’s crown regalia, kept in Trondheim, as Nidaros Cathedral is the country’s coronation church, although the last coronation took place in 1906.