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Trondheim

Home of the Vikings

The beautiful old town Trondheim was established in year 997 by king Olav Trygvasson, who was a real king of the vikings.

In the city centre there is an 18 meters high statue, showing the king. The statue was created by the artist Wilhelm Rasmussen.

Many wants the history of the Vikings to be a part of their history, and for the city of Trondheim it is for real.

Today this is a modern city,a centre for high technological research and education, and even has its own university.

Trondheim Coat of Arms

The Coat of Arms dates back to the 13th century, and shows a king with crown, holding scales in the archway of a castle, and opposit him is an arch bishop with his staff in the archway of a church.

It is all in a base which forms am arch, and underneath there are three heads, symbolizing the rank of the city as the first capital in Norway and also the recidencial town of the archbishop.

The Coat of Arms symbolizes the balance of power between the king and the church.

(Source: The Trondheim Encyclopaedia)

A City Roundtrip

If you want to get an overview you should go to the Tyholt Tower, or Tyholttårnet in Norwegian.

From the tower you get a First Class view, and you get an impression of the City and where it is located to the surroundings.

Dining in the cafeteria in the Tyholttårnet, you can get a 360 degrees roundtrip, as the room is moving slowly around all the time.

Just outside the harbour you can see the Monks' Island. This little island served as an execution ground and special prison in ancient times.

old houses in shopping center

Hand in hand with the modern city houses you still find many old, wooden houses, even in the shopping streets.

The old houses are a part of the special atmosphere and spirit, and you will probably find them quite interesting.

The Nidarosdomen Cathedral

Just a short walk from the statue of Olav Tryggvasson you find the Nidarosdomen, the beautiful Cathedral which was started build from year 1070.

The oldest part of the cathedral that still exists is from the mid 1100 century.

King Olav Tryggvasson established the town in 997, and called it Nidaros.

But even long before that there was a center for the Vikings here, and King Harald Hårfagre, who was the first king that ruled over all Norway, was chosen king here in year 865.

When king Olav Haraldsson, Holy Olav, or Saint Olav, was killed in the battle of Stiklestad in year 1030, he was taken to Nidaros and buried here at the same place where the cathedral Nidarosdomen is situated today.

Because of the history around Saint Olav, Nidaros became an important goal for pilgrims in the Middleage.

The beautiful Cathedral is very special for Norway, even if it is quite small compared to many other European churches.

Clarion Collection Hotel Grand Olav