Summary:
Despite its modest size by European standards, Trondheim is Norway’s third-largest city, located in Trøndelag county where the Nidelva River flows into the Trondheimsfjord. The city was reconstructed based on a Baroque design after a fire in the 17th century and is home to the second-largest cathedral in Northern Europe.
From 1164 until 1906, this location was where Norway’s kings were crowned, and the nearby Archbishop’s Palace houses the country’s crown jewels, known as the Regalia of Norway.
With a student population exceeding 30,000, Trondheim boasts a vibrant cultural scene and dynamic nightlife. Visitors can explore the charming Bakklandet district, recognized for its picturesque wooden warehouses, and delve into high-quality museums dedicated to decorative arts and antique musical instruments.
Let us examine the top attractions in Trondheim:
1. Nidaros Cathedral
The significance of the world’s northernmost Medieval cathedral is challenging to encapsulate.
Serving as Norway’s National Sanctuary, this Romanesque and Gothic structure was constructed between 1070 and 1300, marking the burial site of Olav II of Norway, who fell in the Battle of Nilestad in 1030. Following his death, he was canonized as Saint Olav, Norway’s patron saint, transforming his grave into a revered pilgrimage destination for individuals across Northern Europe.
Nidaros Cathedral has traditionally been the site of coronations for Norwegian monarchs, with its western facade featuring numerous sculptures of saints and kings surrounding an exquisite rose window.
These sculptures, while newer than they may appear, stem from a restoration in the 19th century and were still being developed into the 1980s.
The crypt beneath the nave contains tomb monuments dating back to the Middle Ages.
2. Ringve Museum
Perched on elevated terrain, the Ringve Museum is housed within an 18th-century manor that offers views of both Trondheim and its fjord.
The building served as the childhood residence of the 18th-century nobleman Peter Tordenskjold and was later acquired by the Bachke family at auction in 1878. One of the sons, Christian Anker Bachke, moved in with his wife, the Russian Victoria Rostin Bachke.
Although the couple did not have children, they dedicated their wealth to acquiring musical instruments, amassing a collection of about 1,500 pieces.
Guided tours are available during the summer, where visitors can observe an Amati violin from 1612, a spinet and clavichord from the 18th century, Hardanger fiddles, and an extremely rare cecilium from the 19th century in elegantly furnished rooms named after renowned composers.
Make sure to explore the 13-hectare botanical gardens surrounding the museum.
3. Bakklandet
The preservation of this charming quarter on the eastern bank of the Nidelva River can be attributed to the initiative of Trondheim’s 20th-century inhabitants.
Plans were proposed in the 1960s to construct a new main road through Bakklandet, yet protests from long-term residents, students, and architects resulted in the abandonment of these plans.
Stretching between the Bakke Bridge and Old Town Bridge, Bakklandet comprises a quaint neighborhood filled with painted wooden warehouses that emerged as Trondheim’s initial suburb in the mid-17th century.
The buildings served dual purposes as both workplaces and residences for merchants and artisans, with some wharfside structures constructed atop wooden piles.
Visitors will find galleries, design shops, cafes, and restaurants with traditional wooden facades along Bakklandet’s cobblestone streets, offering ample outdoor seating during warmer months.
4. National Museum of Decorative Arts
Situated just a block from Nidaros Cathedral, the National Museum of Decorative Arts has curated an extensive collection of arts and crafts since its establishment in 1893. The current facility, constructed in 1968, can display only a fraction of its vast reserve.
At the museum, you can appreciate Trøndelag silverware from the 16th and 17th centuries, Norwegian glassware from the 1700s, and entire Art Nouveau interiors designed in the early 20th century by Belgian master Henry van de Velde.
This collection serves as the foundation for an impressive Art Nouveau gallery, which also includes works from the post-war “Scandinavian design” movement, jewelry, and ten carpets by textile artist Hannah Ryggen.
5. Trøndelag Folk Museum
This outdoor museum houses eighty historic structures relocated from across Trøndelag.
The Trøndelag Folk Museum is one of Norway’s premier attractions in its category, rendered even more captivating by the ruins of Sverresborg Castle that dominate the site.
This castle, dating back to Norway’s 12th-century Civil War epoch, served as a stronghold for Sverre of Norway, who contested Magnus V for the throne.
Also located onsite is the stunning Haltdalen stave church, dating from 1170. The grounds feature the castle ruins, historic urban buildings (including shops and public amenities), and rural monuments (like mills and farmhouses), complemented by a small cast of characters in traditional attire.
An indoor museum dedicated to folk culture in Trøndelag displays various crafts, furniture, costumes, domestic interiors, transportation methods, and children’s toys.
6. Archbishop’s Palace Museum
Positioned just south of the cathedral is the remarkable episcopal palace, built around a spacious courtyard and featuring a formidable Gothic gatehouse with ogival portals.
The Archbishop’s Palace Museum offers a glimpse into the cathedral’s and diocese’s millennium-long history, showcasing fascinating architectural remnants such as window tracery, liturgical sculptures, and the distinguished soapstone interiors of the palace.
During the Middle Ages, bishops minted their own currency, and you can view the mint that archaeological excavations uncovered.
Additionally, the Royal Regalia, including the centuries-old Crown of Norway adorned with gemstones and topped with an amethyst cross, is on display in a small chamber of the palace.
7. Rockheim
A contemporary landmark in Trondheim, Rockheim serves as a museum dedicated to pop and rock music, located in a striking venue.
The repurposed granary from 1918 has been topped with an LED-clad cube that features dynamic patterns and colors on its exterior.
Filled with interactive screens and multimedia displays, the permanent exhibition chronicles Norwegian popular music from the 1950s to the present day, with each room representing a different decade.
Throughout your visit, you are invited to engage with the exhibits, testing your skills on an electric guitar alongside visuals of the legendary Norwegian guitarist Ronni Le Tekrø.
The hip-hop section includes turntables and breakdancing tutorials, while visitors may also create avatars to navigate the 3D exhibits.
8. Kristiansten Fortress
Situated on a hill overlooking the right bank of the Nidelven River, Kristiansten Fortress was a critical aspect of Trondheim’s redesigned layout following the devastating city fire of April 1681. The fortress played a vital role in securing a strategically vulnerable part of eastern Trondheim.
This stronghold was only tested once, in 1718 during the Great Northern War when it successfully resisted an assault by Swedish forces commanded by General Carl Gustaf Armfeldt.
In the 20th century, the fortress witnessed a different kind of violence, as Norwegian patriots were executed here during the German occupation, followed by Nazi collaborators in the post-war “legal purge in Norway.” Visitors can explore the austere, whitewashed defensive tower, known as the Donjonen, examine the ramparts, and enjoy views of the city and river from the fortifications.
9. Old Town Bridge
For excellent views, the pedestrian and cycling bridge spanning the Nidelva River at Bakklandet is unparalleled.
A crossing has existed at this site since 1681, coinciding with the construction of the Kristiansten Fort.
This crossing was replaced in 1861 by the current iconic structure, which features the Lykkens Portal, a wooden gate located on the western side.
From this bridge, one can admire the cathedral spire and the line of colorful wooden warehouses along the riverfront.
The historical excise house on the western side is currently utilized as a kindergarten.
10. Torvet (Town Square)
Continuing to function as a hub for commerce and public gatherings, Trondheim’s main square has retained its location since the city layout was redesigned by Johan Caspar de Cicignon in 1681. The centerpiece is a column topped with a statue of Olav Tryggvason, the first King of Norway and founder of Trondheim in the 10th century.
This monument, erected in 1921, forms part of a larger sundial designed using cobblestones.
The southern end of the square is bustling with market stalls, offering souvenirs, flowers, and jewelry on the southwestern corner, alongside groceries and specialty foods on the southeastern side.
11. Trondheim Science Museum
Located within the historic Norges Bank building, this modern museum is part of a new wave of interactive science attractions designed to promote learning through engagement and fun.
The exhibits focus on various subjects including the human body, mathematics, meteorology, technology, and agriculture, presented in inventive ways.
Children can participate in activities such as “mindball,” which challenges their concentration, provide weather forecasts, compete against a chess-playing robot, and use logic in a cargo-stacking simulator.
In addition to the permanent exhibit, the museum features a chemistry lab, a robotics lab, an “experiment club,” a series of engaging lectures, and a planetarium.
12. Munkholmen
Visible in the Trondheimsfjord near the mouth of the Nidelva River, Munkholmen is an island with a rich and varied history.
It is notable as the location where both Haakon Sigurdsson, Norway’s de facto ruler of the 10th century, and his assassin, Tormod Kark (a slave), had their heads displayed on pikes as a warning to visitors.
Subsequently, Munkholmen served as a Benedictine monastery until its dissolution during the Reformation.
In the 17th century, it was transformed into a fortress designed by the renowned military architect Johan Caspar von Cicignon.
During this period, the fort also functioned as a prison for notable historical figures, such as Peder Griffenfeld, who spent 18 years on the island after facing treason charges.
Visitors can access Munkholmen by boat during the summer months for daily tours and enjoy refreshments at the café, serving coffee and cake.
13. Tyholttårnet
Offering the highest point of view is this radio tower located in the southeast of the city, constructed in 1985. Tyholttårnet stands 124 meters tall, making it the tallest structure in Norway.
At a height of 74 meters, a revolving restaurant rotates once per hour, providing diners the opportunity to take in the entirety of Trondheim and a remarkable perspective of the fjord in one sitting.
If you prefer just the view, there is an observation deck one level below the restaurant.
14. CycloCable
A short distance from the Old Town Bridge in Bakklandet is the world’s only ski lift specifically designed for cyclists.
The CycloCable, previously known as the Trampe bicycle lift, operates daily from 07:00 to 20:00, transporting riders up a steep hill with a 20% gradient.
This modernized version of a lift that has been in place in various forms since 1993 was invented by local Jarle Wanvik, who wanted to eliminate the exhaustion of cycling uphill to work.
Those touring Trondheim by bicycle can utilize the lift to reach Kristiansten Fortress.
To use the lift, simply press a start button, and a foothold will emerge from the ground to propel you uphill, provided you can maintain your balance and control!
15. Pirbadet
Situated facing the Trondheimsfjord and looking towards Munkholmen from the pier, Pirbadet is the largest indoor waterpark in Norway.
An ideal destination for inclement weather, nearly all of Pirbadet’s attractions are housed within a single spacious hall, carefully designed so that adults can relax while children expend energy on slides and in the wave pool.
Dedicated swimmers can get their exercise here, while those seeking relaxation can enjoy a “wellbeing pool,” a jacuzzi, and sauna facilities.
The waterpark also features a café and snack bar to cater to any cravings you may have.
