The Catholic Pilgrim's Guide to Trondheim, Norway
On 29 July 1030, King Olav Haraldsson fell in battle at Stiklestad, about 80 kilometers northeast of what is now Trondheim. Within a year, reports of miracles at his grave had transformed this Viking warrior-king into a saint, and the small wooden chapel over his remains would eventually become the magnificent Nidaros Cathedral—the northernmost medieval cathedral in the world and Northern Europe's most important pilgrimage destination for five centuries.
Trondheim, known in medieval times as Nidaros (meaning "mouth of the river Nid"), sits where the Nidelva River meets the Trondheimsfjord in central Norway's Trøndelag region. The city's spiritual heart beats in the octagonal choir of Nidaros Cathedral, built around 1180 to echo the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. Here, behind the high altar, St. Olav's shrine once drew pilgrims from across Scandinavia, England, Iceland, and even Byzantium—earning the cathedral the title Cor Norvegiae, the "Heart of Norway." The feast of St. Olav on 29 July, known in Norwegian as Olsok, united "all the nations of the Northern seas" at this spot where faith, history, and Norwegian identity converge.
Today, Trondheim experiences a remarkable revival of pilgrimage. The St. Olav Ways (Pilegrimsleden), recognized as a European Cultural Route in 2010, brings thousands of pilgrims annually along nine historic paths totaling some 3,000 kilometers, all ending at Nidaros Cathedral. The small Catholic community under Bishop Erik Varden, O.C.S.O., celebrates Mass at St. Olav Catholic Cathedral, while nearby on the island of Tautra, Cistercian nuns at Tautra Mariakloster have restored contemplative monastic life to Norway after nearly 500 years. Whether you come as a devout Catholic, a curious traveler, or a walker seeking the transformative experience of pilgrimage, Trondheim offers an encounter with sacred heritage that continues to shape Norwegian identity.
📜 History & Spiritual Significance
The story of Trondheim as a pilgrimage city begins with King Olav II Haraldsson, born around 995 into the tumultuous world of Viking Norway. As a young man, Olav fought across the North and Baltic Seas before returning to claim the Norwegian throne in 1015. His reign marked a decisive push to complete the Christianization of Norway, building churches and establishing Christian law throughout his kingdom.
Olav's efforts to consolidate power and impose Christianity met fierce resistance from Norwegian nobles allied with the Danish King Cnut the Great. In 1028, Olav was driven into exile in Kievan Rus'. Two years later, receiving what he believed was a divine call, Olav returned with a small army to reclaim his throne. On 29 July 1030, at Stiklestad farm in the Verdal valley, Olav met a vastly larger peasant army. The battle cry of his men rang out: "Fram, fram, kristsmenn, krossmenn, konungsmenn!" (Forward! Forward! Men of Christ, men of the cross, men of the king!).
Olav fell that day. According to Snorri Sturluson's 13th-century account, the king leaned against a boulder after receiving a wound to his leg, prayed to God, and then received the fatal blow. That boulder, called Olavssteinen, became a sacred relic, and tradition holds that Olav fell at the precise spot where the altar of Stiklestad Church now stands.
The night after the battle, Olav's body was taken by boat down the fjord to Trondheim. He was buried in a sandbank by the river Nidelva. Within a year, stories of miracles at his grave had spread throughout Scandinavia. In August 1031, Bishop Grimketel canonized Olav with the approval of the king and the people—one of the first canonizations in medieval Norway. The Pope later confirmed the canonization, and Olav was given the title Rex Perpetuus Norvegiae—Norway's Eternal King.
A small wooden chapel was built over Olav's grave. Around 1070, King Olav Kyrre, the saint's nephew, began constructing a grand stone church dedicated to the Holy Trinity—though commonly called Kristkirken, the Church of Christ. This church, completed around 1090, placed the altar directly over St. Olav's grave, with his precious shrine displayed above it. In 1152, Nidaros became the seat of an archbishopric, extending ecclesiastical authority over Norway, Iceland, Greenland, the Faroe Islands, and parts of Britain.
The magnificent octagonal choir, modeled after the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, was begun around 1180 under Archbishop Eystein Erlendsson. The cathedral continued to grow over the next century, incorporating Gothic architecture that rivaled the great cathedrals of England and France. By 1300, Nidaros Cathedral stood complete—a masterpiece of soapstone and basalt rising as the northernmost Gothic cathedral in the world.
St. Olav's shrine consisted of three nested containers: the original wooden coffin from Stiklestad, covered with rich cloth; a silver shrine commissioned by Olav's son King Magnus; and an outer shrine of gilded silver. The shrine was carried in procession through the city on feast days, when new kings took their oaths with hands upon it, and even when fires threatened the town—for St. Olav was believed to be the vigilant guardian of his city.
The Reformation reached Norway in 1536–1537. Archbishop Olav Engelbrektsson fled into exile, taking the shrine to his fortress at Steinvikholm. There it fell into Danish hands and was eventually melted down for coinage. The saint's remains were buried in an unknown location within the cathedral—a mystery that persists to this day, though some Trondheim families reportedly preserved knowledge of the grave's location through the centuries.
For over 450 years, pilgrimage to Nidaros ceased. But in 1997, the ancient pilgrim path from Oslo to Trondheim was officially reopened, and recognition as a European Cultural Route in 2010 sparked a remarkable revival. Today, more than 20,000 overnight stays are recorded annually along the St. Olav Ways, and each July, pilgrims once again process to Nidaros Cathedral for Olsok, the feast of Norway's Eternal King.
☩ Pilgrimage Sites in Trondheim
Trondheim's sacred landscape centers on Nidaros Cathedral but extends to medieval churches, monastery ruins, and sites intimately connected with St. Olav's story. The compact historic center allows pilgrims to visit the main sites on foot, while nearby excursions to Stiklestad and Tautra reveal the wider pilgrimage geography of the region.
Nidaros Cathedral (Nidarosdomen)
Local Name: Nidarosdomen / Nidaros Domkirke
Address: Kongsgårdsgata 2, 7013 Trondheim, Norway
GPS Coordinates: 63.4269, 10.3960
Google Maps: View on Google Maps
Website: nidarosdomen.no
Dedication: Holy Trinity / St. Olav
Historical Note: Construction began around 1070 over the burial site of St. Olav and continued until approximately 1300. The cathedral suffered devastating fires in 1327, 1531, 1708, and 1719, each time rising again from the ashes. Major restoration work began in 1869 and was declared substantially complete in 2001, though maintenance continues perpetually—giving rise to the saying that "Nidaros Cathedral will never be complete." The current altar, designed in marble, recalls the essential form of St. Olav's original reliquary casket.
Spiritual Importance: Nidaros Cathedral remains Norway's national sanctuary and the traditional location for royal consecrations. The octagonal choir—Cor Norvegiae, the Heart of Norway—was built as a martyrion in the pattern of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, explicitly connecting St. Olav's passion to that of Christ. Pilgrims who complete one of the St. Olav Ways receive the Olavsbrevet (Letter of Olav) at the Pilgrim Centre, and those who have walked at least 100 kilometers receive free entry to the cathedral. Over 5,000 stone sculptures adorn the exterior, while the magnificent rose window casts colored light across the nave in summer. The only surviving medieval relic of St. Olav—a femur bone in a silver-gilt reliquary shaped like a forearm—is now kept at St. Olav Catholic Cathedral in Oslo.
Archbishop's Palace (Erkebispegården)
Local Name: Erkebispegården
Address: Kongsgårdsgata 1, 7013 Trondheim, Norway
GPS Coordinates: 63.4267, 10.3972
Google Maps: View on Google Maps
Website: nidarosdomen.no/erkebispegarden
Dedication: Secular building
Historical Note: Built in the second half of the 12th century, the Archbishop's Palace is the oldest secular building in Scandinavia. From here, the Archbishops of Nidaros governed the northernmost archdiocese in medieval Christendom, with authority extending to Iceland, Greenland, and the Faroe Islands. Today it houses the Crown Regalia exhibition and the Resistance Museum.
Spiritual Importance: The palace stands as a testament to Trondheim's former status as the ecclesiastical capital of the North. Pilgrims can visit the medieval west wing and reflect on the centuries when this complex served as the administrative heart of Northern European Catholicism.
Church of Our Lady (Vår Frue Kirke)
Local Name: Vår Frue Kirke
Address: Vår Frue gate 2, 7013 Trondheim, Norway
GPS Coordinates: 63.4305, 10.3935
Google Maps: View on Google Maps
Dedication: Blessed Virgin Mary
Historical Note: Dating from the late 12th century, Vår Frue Kirke is one of Trondheim's oldest buildings and the only medieval parish church to survive in the city. Dedicated to the Virgin Mary, it was one of nine Catholic parish churches in medieval Trondheim. The tower and western sections were rebuilt in the 17th and 18th centuries, but the eastern half preserves its original medieval stonework. The baroque altarpiece, carved by Heinrich Kühnemann between 1742 and 1744, was originally made for Nidaros Cathedral and transferred here in 1837.
Spiritual Importance: Now a Lutheran church, Vår Frue Kirke operates as an "open church" run by the City Mission. Pilgrims are welcome to light candles, pray, and find a moment of quiet reflection. Medieval runes carved into the stone walls 800 years ago remain visible, silent witnesses to the continuous prayer offered in this sacred space.
St. Olav Catholic Cathedral (Sankt Olav Domkirke)
Local Name: St. Olav katolske domkirke
Address: Kjøpmannsgata 35, 7011 Trondheim, Norway
GPS Coordinates: 63.4339, 10.4020
Google Maps: View on Google Maps
Website: trondheim.katolsk.no
Dedication: St. Olav
Historical Note: The current St. Olav Catholic Cathedral was constructed in 2016, replacing an earlier building that had become too small for the rapidly growing Catholic community. Catholics were not permitted to practice their faith openly in Norway until 1843, and monks were banned from entering the country until 1897.
Spiritual Importance: This is the seat of Bishop Erik Varden, O.C.S.O., the first Norwegian-born bishop of Trondheim in modern times. The Territorial Prelature of Trondheim serves approximately 16,500 Catholics across a vast area. Mass is celebrated daily, and pilgrims walking the St. Olav Ways are warmly welcomed. The growing Catholic community—with a reported 15% annual growth in recent years—testifies to a remarkable spiritual renewal in this historically Lutheran land.
Stiklestad Church and National Cultural Center
Local Name: Stiklestad kirke / Stiklestad Nasjonale Kultursenter
Address: Stiklestad, 7656 Verdal, Norway
GPS Coordinates: 63.8024, 11.5446
Google Maps: View on Google Maps
Website: stiklestad.no
Dedication: St. Olav
Historical Note: The medieval stone church at Stiklestad was built between 1150 and 1180, directly over the site where tradition holds that King Olav fell in battle. The stone against which Olav leaned when he died—Olavssteinen—is preserved in the church, and the altar stands at the traditional location of his death. The Stiklestad National Cultural Center, established in 1995, surrounds the church with reconstructed Viking-age buildings and hosts the annual Spelet om Heilag Olav (The St. Olav Drama), performed since 1954 on the largest outdoor stage in Scandinavia.
Spiritual Importance: Stiklestad is where St. Olav's earthly journey ended and his spiritual legacy began. Pilgrims walking the St. Olavsleden (the route from Sweden) pass through here, 134 kilometers from Trondheim. The annual Olsokdagene festival at the end of July culminates with Mass at Stiklestad Church, where Bishop Varden and pilgrims from across Europe gather to honor Norway's Eternal King. The monument Olavsstøtta, erected in 1807, is one of Norway's oldest preserved public memorials.
Tautra Mariakloster (Cistercian Monastery)
Local Name: Tautra Mariakloster
Address: Tautra, 7633 Frosta, Norway
GPS Coordinates: 63.5894, 10.6631
Google Maps: View on Google Maps
Website: tautra.org
Dedication: Blessed Virgin Mary
Historical Note: The original Cistercian monastery on Tautra island was founded in 1207 by monks from Lyse Abbey near Bergen and dedicated to Sancta Maria de Tuta Insula—Our Lady of the Safe Island. The monastery flourished for over 300 years before being dissolved during the Reformation in 1537. The substantial church ruins, preserved since 1846 by the National Trust of Norway, stand as the oldest such property in their collection. In 1999, Trappistine nuns from Mississippi Abbey in Iowa refounded monastic life on the island. The new monastery was completed in 2006, with Queen Sonja of Norway laying the foundation stone. In 2007—exactly 800 years after the original foundation—the new church was dedicated.
Spiritual Importance: Tautra represents the return of contemplative religious life to Norway after nearly five centuries. The community of eleven Cistercian nuns welcomes guests for retreats, maintaining the ancient rhythms of prayer, work, and silence. Pilgrims can visit the medieval ruins, attend Mass in the new monastery chapel, and experience the profound peace of this island sanctuary in the Trondheimsfjord. The nuns' warm reception—they describe being welcomed "with a warmth far beyond our expectations" when they arrived in 1999—reflects a deep spiritual hunger in modern Norway.
🕯️ Annual Feast Days & Celebrations
July 29 – Feast of St. Olav (Olsok)
Nidaros Cathedral and Stiklestad Church. The highlight of the pilgrimage year, Olsok marks the anniversary of St. Olav's death in 1030. Young Catholics from across Norway complete their annual pilgrimage along the Gudbrandsdal path, arriving in Trondheim in late July. Bishop Varden walks the final stretch with the pilgrims, and a solemn Mass is celebrated in Nidaros Cathedral. At Stiklestad, the Olsokdagene festival (July 24–29, 2025) features performances of Spelet om Heilag Olav on the outdoor stage, drawing thousands of spectators to experience the dramatic retelling of the battle that changed Norwegian history.
🛏️ Where to Stay
Nidaros Pilegrimsgård
📍 Address: Øvre Bakklandet 21, 7013 Trondheim, Norway
🌐 Website: nidarospilegrimsgard.no
🔗 Booking: Book on Booking.com
Idyllically situated between the Nidelva River and Nidaros Cathedral, this is the official pilgrim reception in Trondheim. Pilgrims receive the Olavsbrevet (Letter of Olav) and free entry to the cathedral here. Simple but comfortable rooms with private bathrooms, plus the cozy Streif Bakery & Café. Special rates for pilgrims.
Scandic Stiklestad ⭐⭐⭐⭐
📍 Address: Stiklestad, 7656 Verdal, Norway
🌐 Website: scandichotels.com
🔗 Booking: Book on Booking.com
Located on the actual battlefield of Stiklestad, this hotel offers pilgrims a unique opportunity to stay at the site of St. Olav's martyrdom. Special pilgrim rates (NOK 1300 single / NOK 1500 double with breakfast) require a pilgrim's pass. Note: some beds are medieval reconstructions and are slightly shorter than modern standards.
Klostergården Tautra
📍 Address: Tautra, 7633 Frosta, Norway
🌐 Website: klostergarden.no
On the Abbey Island of Tautra, this farm offers accommodation, meals, and a farm brewery adjacent to the monastery ruins and Tautra Mariakloster. Single room NOK 950, double NOK 1250 including breakfast. Pilgrim menu dinner NOK 350.
Tautra Mariakloster Guest House
📍 Address: Tautra, 7633 Frosta, Norway
🌐 Website: tautra.org
The Cistercian nuns welcome retreat guests to their modern monastery. A place of profound silence and prayer, ideal for pilgrims seeking a deeper contemplative experience. Contact the monastery directly for availability.
🚗 Getting There
By Air: Trondheim Airport Værnes (TRD) is the main international airport, located 35 kilometers east of the city center. Regular flights connect to Oslo, Bergen, and European destinations including Amsterdam, Copenhagen, and London. Airport buses and trains run frequently to central Trondheim (approximately 40 minutes).
By Train: Trondheim Central Station receives trains on the Dovre Line from Oslo (approximately 6.5 hours) and the Nordland Line from Bodø. The train journey from Oslo follows part of the historic pilgrim route through the Gudbrandsdal valley.
By Car: From Oslo, the E6 highway runs north through Lillehammer and over the Dovrefjell Mountains to Trondheim (approximately 500 kilometers, 6–7 hours). From Sweden, the E14 crosses the border at Storlien.
The St. Olav Ways (Pilegrimsleden): Nine pilgrim routes lead to Trondheim, totaling approximately 3,000 kilometers. The most popular is Gudbrandsdalsleden (643 km from Oslo, about 32 days walking). St. Olavsleden from Selånger in Sweden takes approximately 29 days. Detailed route information and planning tools are available at pilegrimsleden.no.
To Stiklestad: Approximately 100 kilometers northeast of Trondheim via the E6. Bus services available from Trondheim.
To Tautra: The island of Tautra is reached via the village of Frosta, approximately 60 kilometers north of Trondheim. A causeway connects the island to the mainland.
📚 Further Reading
Books:
Articles & Online Resources:
🎥 Recommended Videos
🔗 Useful Links
✝️ Closing Reflection
"One of the fascinating things about the story of St. Olav is that it enables us to see the progressive impact of Christ's grace over time. Through experience, through suffering not least, his orientation becomes ever more supernatural, more given over to the Lord in faith and confidence. St. Olav reminds us that to be a Christian is to enter a process of transformation."
— Bishop Erik Varden of Trondheim
For the most current information on Mass times, visiting hours, and accommodation availability, please contact the individual sites directly. The Pilgrim Centre at Nidaros Pilegrimsgård can assist with planning your pilgrimage along the St. Olav Ways.