TRONDHEIM, NORWAY

Trondheim, Norway is the third largest city and the first capital of Norway. 

The settlement was founded in 997 as a trading post and served as the capital of Norway from the Viking Age until 1217. From 1152 to 1537, the city was the seat of the Catholic Archdiocese of Nidaros.  It then became, and has since remained, the seat of the Lutheran Diocese of Nidaros and the site of the Nidaros Cathedral. It was incorporated in 1838 with the current municipality formed in 1964.  It continues to be the location where an incoming king of Norway receives his ceremonial blessing.

 

Trondheim has a population of just over 200,000 inhabitants, 40,000 of which are students at the Norwegian University of Sciences and Technology (NTNU). 

 

The river Nidelva flows through the city and into the Trondheim Fjord,  the longest in Norway. 

 

The central part of the city is lined with colorful wooden houses along the riverbank.

Trondheim would be a tender port for the Norwegian Star.  Our anchor dropped at 7:00am on Wednesday, June 7, 2023.  The forecast for the day was high of 52 degrees and cloudy.

 

From the tender dock I walked to the SKANSEN bus stop.  My GPS indicated it would take under 5 minutes to walk. 

When you come to Trondheim be sure to take the 1924 tram.  It’s as simple as buying a regular bus ticket with just a couple of things to remember:

1)    You CAN'T buy tickets at the ticket machine using a credit card

2)    You CAN'T buy tickets from the driver (cash or credit)

3)    You MUSt have the exact change in NOK to use the ticket    machines

4)    You MUST purchase your ticket BEFORE attempting to get on the tram

 

Tickets CAN be purchased via the AtB (A to B) Mobillett app, at certain Coop Locations, at Narvesen stores and at 7-Eleven locations, and at ticket machines located at various stops with EXACT change only.  

Ticket machines at some bus stops

The ticket cost for my 24-Hour Senior Pass was 65NOK or $6.16USD at the time of this writing.  I didn’t have the exact change so ran into a “Joker” grocery store right next to the SKANSEN bus stop to get the correct change.   

 

SKANSEN bus stop

 

My first ride was aboard the 1924 #9 Grakail Line Street car.  This is the only street car still in operation. 

The line opened in 1924 and is 5 miles in length.  It runs from the city center to Lian, located in the lush west side area.   I simply enjoyed the scenery, remained on board and returned back to my original stop at SKANSEN.  

 

From here I then took bus #2 to the end of the line at Lund.  The buses are super modern.  Once again I remained on the bus and returned to the city center but this time getting off at NIDAROSDOMEN stop.   

Local Trondheim buses

 

From here it’s a short walk to the famous Nidaros Cathedral, the northern most medieval castle in the world and the most important building in the city of Trondheim.   

Built in 1070, the Catheral is where the coronations of the Kings of Norway has taken place since 1400.  Recently the actual coronation ceremony has been moved to Oslo. Today the Nidaros Cathedral retains treasures, such as the remains of St. Olav and a wonderful Baroque organ, dating from 1738. 

Baroque organ in Nidaros Cathedral       Photo:Public Domain

Nidaros Cathedral in the background

Front view of Nidaros Cathedral

Inside Nidaros Cathedral

Just a few steps away from the Nidaros Cathedral is the Archbishop’s Palace Museum, dating back to the 12th century.   

 

For hundreds of years the Archbishop’s Palace was the seat, residence and administrative center of the Archbishop of Nidaros, which held the administrative, religious and military command of the entire region, and had its own army and coin.

The Archbishop’s Palace today houses the interesting Army and Resistance Museums, dedicated to the military history of the region, from the Vikings to the Second World War, but the highlight of the collection is located in the palace’s west wing, where the Royal Regalia is kept.

 

 

The Royal Regala is where you can see the jewels that belonged to the Kings of Norway, including the 200-year-old Crown of Norway, adorned with precious gems and crested with an amethyst cross.

Photo: Public Domain

 After Nadaros Cathedral I walked to Torvet.  This is the main square in Trondheim. The square dates back to 1681 and is characterized by the statue of Olav Tryggvason, the first King of Norway and founder of Trondheim.

 

A large number of cafes and restaurants line the square, while the southern end is packed with market stalls, selling fresh local produce, flowers and souvenirs.

 

It was in this square that I spotted a Burger King, McDonald’s and a great place called Dognvill Burgers.  If you are looking for a great burger option, check this place out.  Here's a sample of their menu.  

It was fun to sit by the window and people watch while sipping a local beer.  This is a very busy square with lots of action. 

 

Within a block of the Dognville Burgers you will find numerous bus stops.

Trondheim bus routes

I picked up a copy of the Trondheim City Walking Map if you want to just walk the area. 

 

Some random photos from my day in Trondheim. 

 

 

At this point in the day I had walked enough so I simply headed back to the pier and boarded the tender.  I was back on board the Norwegian Star by 3:30pm.  My step meter registered 7,189 steps for 3.0 miles for the day.