Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim: description, history and interesting facts

Norway is a unique country that does not resemble any other in Scandinavia. Local landscapes enchant with its harsh and pure beauty, and Norwegian history can be read out on long winter evenings, so it seems fabulous and extraordinary. If you are lucky enough to come here, then definitely visit the city of Trondheim. Its main attraction is the Nidaros Cathedral, which is devoted to this article.

Trondheim is one of the most important Norwegian cities

Many Norwegians consider Trondheim the oldest city in the country. It is described as a historical, cultural and religious center of Norway. Many tourists come here to get acquainted with the sights of the city, many of which are more than a thousand years old. The Norwegians themselves come here as pilgrims to visit the Nidaros Cathedral. Lutheran Cathedral is a religious shrine, which for many hundreds of years experienced periods of prosperity and oblivion.

Despite its long history and some severity, Trondheim is a vibrant and youthful city. Here life rages, and at night some quarters just dazzle tourists with an abundance of lights and entertainment centers. But still, first of all, the city should be viewed in the context of a religious center, because the Nidaros Cathedral was very important in its development and development, the history of which we now tell you.

Saint Olav: Viking and the hero of Norway

It is difficult to talk about the Nidarossky Cathedral (Trondheim) without mentioning the Norwegian hero, who became the primary reason for the appearance of this extraordinary religious structure in the Gothic style. Therefore, our history will begin with Olav Haraldson.

He was born in 995 in Norway, until adolescence, Olav led the life of a simple Viking, who at various times was employed by the English king and Duke of Normandy. But at the age of eighteen he was baptized in France and went to Jerusalem. During the pilgrimage, the eighteen-year-old Olav had a vision in which God called him to return to Norway and join the battle for the throne. The young man obeyed, and in a few years he became the king of the country and was revered as a national hero. For 13 years Olav ruled Norway just and wisely, but his dream was to convert all his subjects to Christianity. To this end, he made several missionary trips deep into the country, where he tried to force a new religion on the pagan tribes with the help of force. This led to military clashes, as a result of which the throne was lost to Olav.

In exile, he prayed a lot and once again received a vision that called him to another fight for Norway. A year later, with a hastily assembled army, the deposed king went on a campaign that ended for him on the death of July twenty-ninth, 1030. Olava was buried with honor near the sandbank (now it is Nidaros Cathedral) in Nidaros. We can say that from that moment the history of the Lutheran shrine began.

Holy place

A year after the death of Olav, the Norwegians decided to rebury his remains, but, having opened the grave, experienced a shock - the king's body did not decay. The local bishop elevated him to the rank of saints and proceeded to build a small chapel made of wood. It should be located directly above the grave of St. Olav.

Simple Norwegians wanted to see with their own eyes the grave of the legendary king, so they began to come here as pilgrims. Surprisingly, many were cured of various diseases, after spending a few days in the chapel. The glory of the holy place spread throughout the country with the speed of lightning, and the pilgrims who came here contributed to the development of the city.

About forty years later, in the place of a modest chapel, a monumental stone structure was built-the Nidaros Cathedral, which has remained practically unchanged to this day.

Reformation, the ban on pilgrimage and the revival of the shrine

For many years the cathedral flourished, and everyone who came here with an open heart and sincere prayer received a long-awaited answer to their heated requests. But the Protestant Reformation turned the cathedral into a Lutheran, and the tomb of Olav was transported to Copenhagen. From her, all the precious stones were removed and the base itself was melted down into coins. The pilgrimage to these places fell under a strict ban. Long years of oblivion and decline awaited the Nidaros Cathedral.

Norway only a few decades ago managed to restore to the cathedral its former status, and on the day of Olav's death pilgrims from all over Scandinavia flock here, despite their belonging to the Protestant church. On such days in Trondheim it is simply impossible to find vacant places in hotels and hostels, they are all booked for half a year.

Description of the Cathedral

Nidaros Cathedral is a mixture of medieval styles and traditions. Several times it was completed and restored after the fires, and therefore managed to survive to this day in such good condition.

In the eleventh century the cathedral looked like a simple basilica, later it was joined by carved stone cornices. The nave is decorated with gargoyles, executed in a rather realistic manner. Many of these stone statues are still horrifying. They are complemented by a complex and bizarre pattern that turns this part of the cathedral into something completely fantastic.

The western gable fully corresponds to the characteristics of the Gothic style. It is decorated with a high and narrow window, turrets and niches. In each of the niches are sculptures, they depict the saints, apostles and heroes of the stories of the Old Testament.

Of particular interest to historians is the chapel of St. John, it is located in the oldest part of the temple and has remained virtually unchanged since its construction in 1161.

The interior of the cathedral

Despite the fact that many valuable specimens of medieval art were irretrievably lost, Nidaros Cathedral is considered one of the most luxurious in Scandinavia. Here are collected unique stone statues and other objects made by skilled masters of the Middle Ages.

Many tourists with trepidation consider the organ located in the temple. Now there are two instruments installed here that sound great in pairs. To listen to church singing during the Liturgy, once a week, numerous parishioners and tourists from Trondheim flock to the cathedral.

The altar of marble, created in the fourteenth century, is decorated with carvings depicting the life of St. Olav and his death. For tourists, the collection of tombstones is of interest. They contain not only inscriptions in various languages, but also portraits of the deceased.

If you find yourself in Trondheim, be sure to select the time and spend it on an inspection of the Nidaros Cathedral. In addition, one of its towers offers a magnificent view of the ancient and beautiful city.