Nidaros Cathedral — the medieval north
The northernmost Gothic cathedral in the world, the burial site of King Olav II, and the destination of one of medieval Europe's great pilgrimage routes.
Tied to Trondheim
Nidaros Cathedral is the northernmost medieval cathedral in Europe and the burial place of Saint Olav — Olav II Haraldsson, killed at the Battle of Stiklestad in 1030 and canonized within a year. The cathedral grew up over the grave: a wooden chapel first, then the great stone build from 1070 onward, the west front not finished in its current form until 1969 after a century of reconstruction. Eight Norwegian kings are buried inside.
The Reformation sealed off the medieval pilgrim route in 1537. The 19th-century reconstruction reopened it. The modern Pilegrimsleden walking pilgrimage now runs more than 600km from Oslo to the cathedral door and draws thousands of walkers a year. The west tower opens for guided climbs in summer (172 steps to the parapet); time it for a daytime carillon recital.
What we plan to do
Walk through the nave for an hour. Climb the tower if the 1pm slot is open. Spend the rest of the afternoon at the Erkebispegården archbishop’s palace next door for the crown jewels and the medieval excavations.