Trondheim

Here, at the entrance to Trondheim, you see one of Norway’s oldest and most significant cities. Trondheim was founded in the year 997 by the Viking king Olav Tryggvason and was originally called Nidaros, named after the river Nidelva that runs through the city. It quickly became both a political and religious center, and after the death of Saint Olav in 1030, Nidaros grew into one of the most important pilgrimage destinations in Europe. Nidaros Cathedral, which rises in the heart of the city, was built over his grave and attracted pilgrims from all over the continent. Over time, the city flourished as a trading hub, with boats and cargo ships transporting goods along the coast and deep into the fjords. Trondheim has seen fires, wars, and reconstruction, but today it is a vibrant university city with deep historical roots, still visible in street names and buildings. We are now traveling the seaway as kings, traders, and pilgrims once did—perhaps with a bit more comfort—but with the same timeless aim: to work, to meet, or simply to discover.