Trondheim

Trondheim is the 3rd largest city in Norway. Oslo is the largest, next Bergen, then Trondheim. It’s a walkable city, and that is how we got around.

Still water.
This colorful canopy of umbrellas in the downtown area made me smile.

Our first day in Trondheim, we walked the city loop before the afternoon rain came. We got a good look at what we were interested in, then settled in to read and relax on this rainy afternoon. It was a nice break to slow down and have a rest day.

The lobby of our funky hotel in Trondheim.

The next day we walked to another botanical garden. Although not as spectacular as the one in Tromsø, it was nice to visit. And we took a couple small detours on the way back, for different vistas overlooking the city.

We liked the grass border around the different beds in this garden.
A perky purple flower in the botanic garden.

The Nidaros Cathedral is Tronheim’s most famous “monument”, where royal coronations are still celebrated today.

The north entrance to the cathedral.
Nidaros Cathedral West Front.

The cathedral was built over a 230-year period, beginning in 1070 to 1300 when it was substantially completed. Nidaros is the northernmost medieval cathedral in the world.

Inside the cathedral, looking towards the beautiful stained-glass rose window.
The cathedral was large with very high ceilings and spacious areas for interior seating.

The cathedral is the burial place of King Olav Haraldsson, around 1030, but nobody knows for sure the precise location of his burial place under the cathedral floor.

Nidaros Cathedral is a place near and dear to St. Olaf College here in Northfield. King Olav Haraldsson is St. Olaf College’s namesake.

The Old Town Bridge.

The Old Town Bridge is another popular attraction in Trondheim. It stretches over the Nidelva River. It was built during the reconstruction of the city after a fire ravaged the city in 1681. The wooden bridge was replaced in 1861. 

Bakklandet, a view from the Old Town Bridge.

The bridge is a gateway to Bakklandet, the old town, and a very picturesque area on the eastern bank of the river. It is made up of narrow cobbled streets lined with colorful wooden houses. So quaint.

The curious bicycle lift, in Bakklandet.
This is at the top of the bicycle lift, looking down the steep hill.

Many towns along the coast are hilly, and bikes, especially e-bikes, are very popular in Norway. Trondheim has a bicycle lift…an ingenious idea we’ve not seen before. Supposedly it’s the only one in the world. It boosts you up a steep hill while on your bike. Unfortunately, we didn’t see anyone use it the few times we were in the neighborhood. We watched a YouTube video to see it in action.

We enjoyed our two 13K (8 miles) walking tours of the city, seeing many of the main tourist attractions.

Below are photos of doors I found interesting in Trondheim.

The priest’s entrance for the Nidaros Cathedral.
We passed another old church in Trondheim with a priest’s side door.

Next stop…Bergen!

10 thoughts on “Trondheim”

  1. Oh, I loved Trondheim. One of the times I was there out tour guide told us of the ability of the Norwegians to stop the Germans before they reached Trondheim and could destroy the Cathedral / church !

  3. That Cathedral! How could they build that hundreds of years ago with such elegance and height? And how could it still be standing? That is astounding!

    1. Thank you Audrey. I’m glad you are enjoying a recap of our trip.
      We saw, and did, so many wonderful things.

  5. Oh, Valerie, what a beautiful place Trondheim is! The cathedral is especially majestic. What a wonderful time it must have been to tour the city!

    1. I’m sure you remember hearing about the cathedral while at St. Olaf.
      It is a pretty city.

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