Nidaros Cathedral and Trondheim

Northern Europe'S Largest Medieval Building, Built Over The Grave Of St Olav; National Sanctuary, Coronation Church And End Point Of The St Olav Ways Pilgrim Routes · Trondheim, Trondelag

Nidaros Cathedral (Nidarosdomen) in Trondheim is Norway's national sanctuary and often described as the largest medieval building in northern Europe. It stands over the grave of King Olav Haraldsson, killed at the Battle of Stiklestad in 1030 and soon venerated as St Olav, the saint who sealed Norway's conversion to Christianity. Building began around 1070 and lasted two centuries; fires and the Reformation left it half ruined, and a restoration from the 1860s rebuilt it, finishing the west front with its rows of statues only around 2000. Kings have been crowned or blessed here, the crown regalia are shown next door in the Archbishop's Palace, and pilgrims still walk the St Olav Ways for weeks to reach it. Around it, Trondheim is a lively university city on the Nidelva river: the Old Town Bridge, the wooden houses of Bakklandet and Kristiansten Fortress are all a short walk away. The honest caveat: entry is not cheap, photography inside is restricted, and services and events close the nave at times.

Nidarosdomen, Kongsgardsgata, beside the Archbishop's Palace, central Trondheim, Trondheim, Trondelag, Norway

Open daily for visitors most of the year, with longer hours in summer (roughly mid June to late August) and shorter ones in winter; on Sundays and holidays it opens to visitors only after the morning service, and funerals, concerts and ceremonies can close it at short notice - confirm the day's hours. The tower climb runs in summer only. Trondheim is about 6.5-7 hours from Oslo by Vy train or an hour by air to Vaernes airport, 35 km out. The cathedral is 10 minutes on foot from the centre. Book nothing except summer tower slots.

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