Although Trondheim is not a big city, it has many sights that visitors should see if they come to this Norwegian city. Trondheim is adorned with a beautiful cathedral, an amazing harbor, numerous bridges, a fortress as well as a royal residence.
An unavoidable tourist attraction in Trondheim is Nidaros Cathedral. This is a gothic style building that will attract your attention at the first sight. According to the legend, the inner altar of the cathedral stands exactly on the place where King Olav II Haraldsson, the founder of Trondheim, was buried. After his death, King Olav II was proclaimed a saint, and the Nidaros Cathedral became a national shrine after its construction.
Bridges make cities special, as the Gamle Bybro makes Trondheim special. Gamle Bybro, as the Norwegians call the Old Town Bridge, is located on the Nidelva River. The bridge was designed in 1681 by local engineer Johan Caspar von Cicignon. The purpose of constructing the bridge was the creation of the secret passage from Trondheim to the Kristiansten fortress. It is very unusual and attractive for tourists. The bridge was originally built of wood, and over time the bridge was reconstructed into a more stable, firmer construction designed by engineer Carl Adolf Dahl. The gates of the bridge have become a major tourist attraction. You will especially enjoy the walk and the view of the fortress and wooden buildings in Bakklandet.
The fairytale town Bakklandet was built in the early 17th century and was the first suburb of Trondheim. Although Bakklandet burned down in 1718 during the defense of Trondheim, it was rebuilt soon after and today is one of the most beautiful places to visit if you are staying in Trondheim. The renovation of the place referred to the construction of small houses where sailors, fishermen and workers lived.
If you are staying in Trondheim, it is impossible to miss sightseeing of the old wooden piers along Nidelva river. The oldest piers were built in 1700 on both sides of the river, and the best preserved ones are on the side of Bakklandet. Fishermen, merchants, and craftsmen once lived here, and they had one-story houses that were simple in appearance. Today, in addition to private houses in this part, you can see art galleries, local cafes, restaurants, as well as shops that are specific for their goods that you cannot find anywhere else.
The monument to Olav Tryggvason is located on the town square in the city center, and was erected in honor of King Olav Tryggvason, the founder of Trondheim. The 18-meter-high statue is a masterpiece by sculptor Wilhelm Rasmussen. Although the desire for the monument existed for a very long time, the first idea to erect a statue of King Olav was realized in 1897. That year, the statue was placed at the northern end of Illevold Park, but the sculpture was made of bad material and was damaged over time.
