Stiklestad

Olav Haraldsson died at Stiklestad on 29 July 1030 in a battle against a coalition of Norwegian chieftains, and within a year he was declared a saint; his cult spread rapidly, Nidaros became a pilgrimage destination, and the conversion of Norway is conventionally dated from this event. The site holds a stone church of about 1180 built, tradition says, over the rock on which he died, an open-air museum of relocated farm buildings, a cultural centre with exhibitions, and a large outdoor amphitheatre. Each year around 29 July the Saint Olav Drama is performed there with hundreds of local performers, a tradition running since 1954, alongside a wider festival week that draws pilgrims and visitors.

What you actually see

• The stone church - a building of about 1180 associated with the saint's death.
• The open-air museum - relocated farm buildings on the site.
• The amphitheatre - the outdoor stage for the annual Saint Olav Drama.
• The exhibitions - the battle, the cult of Olav and Norway's conversion.

When to go

June to August for full opening; the Saint Olav Drama and festival fall at the end of July and are the site's main event, needing tickets and accommodation booked well ahead. Winter opening is limited.

Honest expectations

Outside the summer festival the site is quiet and the open-air museum may be closed. The battle itself left nothing visible on the ground, so the interest is entirely interpretive. Play tickets are separate and sell out.

Nearby

The St Olav Ways pilgrim routes pass through; Trondheim and Nidaros Cathedral lie southwest.