Trondheim, Norway

Nidaros Cathedral

It was precisely in this cathedral that all Norwegian kings were crowned, starting with the first Olaf Haraldsson, who later became the patron saint of Norway-Saint Olaf-and ending with the coronation of the last Haakon VII in 1905. This beautiful Gothic structure attracts tourists from all over the world. It makes a special impression at night, when the lighting comes on. Inside, you’ll find an entire labyrinth of elegant columns leading all the way to the nave, carved arches, and breathtakingly beautiful stained-glass windows. Illuminated by the morning light, they fill the cathedral with a unique play of shadows, giving the stone depth and mystery. The two ancient organs installed inside are a highlight of the cathedral, and their inspired music leaves an impression even on skeptical tourists.

Archbishop’s Palace Museum

The Archbishop’s Residence in Trondheim is one of the best-preserved complexes of its kind in Europe. It is the oldest secular building in Scandinavia. Construction began in the second half of the 12th century, and until the Reformation in 1537, it housed the Archbishop’s residence. The West Wing of the Residence is dedicated to an exhibition of the royal regalia, the Military Museum, and the Resistance Museum. The Museum of the Archbishop’s Residence is located in the South Wing. In this museum, visitors can see original sculptures from the Nidaros Cathedral, as well as archaeological finds that tell its dramatic history. Tourists can also visit the Archbishop’s Mint, where coins were minted-it has been preserved in the form in which it was found by archaeologists.

Stiftsgården Royal Residence

Stiftsgården Manor, built in 1774-78 by the widow of a member of the Privy Council, is the largest wooden palace in Scandinavia. In 1800 it was sold to the State of Norway and today it is the official Royal Residence in Trondheim.

Christiansten Fortress

Christiansten Fortress rises above the center of Trondheim and is an important part of the city’s leisure area. The central tower-four floors with embrasures-is open to visitors, as is the Armoury. Many cultural events are held at the Fortress. The castle sits on a hill, 15 minutes on foot from the city center. Construction of the stronghold began in 1682 by order of King Christian V. Its purpose was determined from the outset as defensive; in essence, it blocked the enemy’s access to the city, which was considered a stronghold in the northern mountains. Around 1740, the castle took on the form it has today. In addition to the museum, it is also a large theater venue. Performances are often staged here based on the rich history of the city and the fortress.

Gates of Happiness

One of the trademarks of Trondheim is Gamle Bybro, a name that translates from Norwegian simply as “old city bridge.” Its construction became necessary with the building of the fortress of Christiansen on the right bank of the River Nidelva. Originally, it was a wooden bridge on three stone supports. At both ends of the bridge there were guard booths. Today, this bridge is no longer the main transport artery connecting the two banks of the River Nidelva. But it is loved by the residents of Trondheim, who have given it an unofficial name of “Lykkens portal” - “Gates of Happiness.”

Munckholmen Island

Munkholmen is a small island with a fortress. During the Danish rule, it served as an impregnable prison, established on the site of the oldest Benedictine monastery in Norway, built in honor of St. Lawrence around the year 1100. You can visit Munkholmen by taking a boat here, enjoying views of its ancient fortress walls from the sea along the way. At night, the fortress is illuminated by a searchlight. In summer, people come here to relax and swim in clear waters beneath the old walls of the fortress. Periodically, amateur theatrical performances are staged here for visitors. Today, Munkholmen Island is a wonderful place to unwind.

Ringve Museum

In the Norwegian Ringve Museum, there is a unique collection of musical instruments from all over the world. 700 of them are classic European instruments. It was founded in 1952 by the daughter of Russian emigrants, Victoria Bakke (née Rostina). The girl married an aristocrat, Christian Bakke. Christian Bakke became passionate about the idea of creating a museum that would present the entire history of music, but an unexpected death prevented him from bringing this plan to life. Victoria decided to continue her husband’s work and began buying musical instruments from all over the world. Lacking sufficient funds, she somehow managed to drive the price down and acquire expensive and rare specimens for half the cost. As a result, the Ringve Museum has become, without exaggeration, the best collection in the world.

Steinwigholm Castle-Fortress

Steinvigholm Castle, located in the Trondheim Fjord, is the largest fortress built in Norway in the Middle Ages. For its time, it was the best defensive structure, which, unfortunately, quickly became outdated and was abandoned. The castle was restored in the 20th century, and every summer its ruins and the surrounding area are turned into a realistic setting for the production of the opera “Olav Engelbrektsson,” whose world premiere took place on 5 August 1993. Reality fades away, and with the light of torches, power is taken into medieval hands once again, and with the coming of darkness the main figure in the castle becomes the rebellious archbishop-who built Steinvigholm in 1530. This is the most grandiose of the open-air performances staged in Western Europe.

Shopping

In Trondheim there are a fairly large number of shopping centers, stores, supermarkets and well-known boutiques, where you can buy almost everything. The most popular and modern shopping area in the city is considered to be the Sluppen district with numerous shopping centers, small restaurants and original shops. It is also worth visiting the lively Bakklandet area, where there are art galleries, designer boutiques and antique stores. Among the many city shopping centers, Trondheim Torg, Solsiden, Byhaven and Mercur should be highlighted, where there is an unbelievably large number of the most diverse shops.

Sverresborg Open-Air Museum

The history of Sverresborg Castle-essentially the story of the rise and fall of Sverre Sigurdsson, who proclaimed himself King of Norway in 1184 and waged endless power struggles through civil wars. This is the first stone fortress in the country, built in the Middle Ages in Nidaros (today’s Trondheim). Today, Sverresborg is an open-air museum. It consists of 60 buildings and sites-exact replicas of residential buildings from different eras in Norway, a market square, and craft workshops. This fascinating museum of history and culture offers numerous exhibitions, and at its heart lies the main attraction-a ruined royal castle. Located in a picturesque natural setting, you can climb right up to the fortress ruins and enjoy a stunning view of the city and the fjord.

Bryggen - the promenade of Trondheim

A district with the same name exists in Bergen, but in Trondheim it’s different. Here too, there are multicolored houses (yellow, red, green), but they’re not simply lined up along the banks of the Nidelva River-instead, they literally stand in the river on wooden piles. In fact, at first they were warehouses and docks, the oldest of which date back to the 18th century. They were also used for defensive purposes: from there it was convenient to throw stones at enemies approaching by boat. Today, they’re mostly residential houses, restaurants, and so on. Finding these pile houses is quite easy: they’re located on both sides along the banks of the Nidelva River.

Panoramic tour of Trondheim

You will visit the medieval wooden church of Haltdalen at the local history museum and Christianssten Fortress. Then you will see the Royal Residence, Nidaros Cathedral (the most important and most beautiful cathedral in Norway, built in the 11th century) and the Archbishop’s residence, visit the Shipyard (colorful buildings along the canal), the Old Town (house cottages built in the 17th-19th centuries) and the bridge to the Old Town (a wooden pedestrian bridge with carved gates - Gates of Good Luck). At the end of the tour, you will take a cruise to Munkholmen Island, home to a fortress built in the 17th century with a rich history.

For a more detailed list of excursions and their prices, you can view it after booking the cruise in your “Personal account”.