Trondheim

Trondheim: history & character

Trondheim, founded in 997 AD by Viking king Olaf Tryggvason as Kaupangen, was the first capital of medieval Norway and the seat of the powerful Nidaros archbishopric throughout the Middle Ages. The Nidaros Cathedral, built from 1070 over the tomb of Saint Olaf (martyred in 1030), is the world's northernmost Gothic cathedral and remains the coronation site of Norwegian kings. Burned and rebuilt identically multiple times, the city is now Scandinavia's fourth university centre (NTNU, 40,000 students) and Norway's third city (210,000 people). For travellers with a dog, Trondheim combines medieval heritage and accessible nature: walkable medieval centre in 20 min, 80 km² of Bymarka urban forest at the city edge, the historic 1955 Gråkallbanen tram (world's northernmost), and a 14 km coastal path along the Lade peninsula on the Trondheimsfjord.