Nidaros Cathedral

Nidaros Cathedral rises in Trondheim over the burial place of Saint Olav, the king who Christianised Norway, and it grew into the greatest Gothic building in the country and the northernmost medieval cathedral in the world. A place of coronation and pilgrimage, its ornate west front and soaring nave are the spiritual heart of the nation.

History

Building began around 1070, when King Olav Kyrre, nephew of Saint Olav, started a large stone church on the site of the wooden church over Olav's grave; the cathedral took about 230 years and was substantially complete by 1300. It was the cathedral of the Archdiocese of Nidaros from its founding in 1152 until 1537, and an important destination for pilgrims from all of Northern Europe (Wikipedia, Nidaros Cathedral).

Highlights

• The west front - the great sculpted facade lined with statues of saints and kings.
• The Gothic nave and choir - the soaring stone interior over Saint Olav's grave.
• The rose window - the vast stained-glass window flooding the nave with colour.
• The pilgrim tradition - the cathedral as the end of the Saint Olav Way.

When to go

Year-round; an indoor visit for any weather, and a working church, so check for services and events. Guided tours and tower climbs run in the warmer months.

Practical notes

It is a working cathedral with an entry charge, and parts may be closed for worship, so check before a long visit. It is much restored over the centuries, Gothic revival as much as medieval survival. It is a landmark to admire and absorb rather than a quick tick.

Nearby

The colourful Bakklandet quarter and the old town bridge are a short walk; the Trondheim fjord is close.

Key facts