Norway is not easy to describe in words. Caught between mountains and sea, its vast landscapes unfold before your eyes, never ceasing to amaze you. Here you can witness true miracles of nature – the aurora and the midnight sun – and experience outdoor activities like nowhere else. But Norway is much more than unspoiled nature and rich wildlife. Make sure you don`t miss the charming villages and cities, all very much alike Norway: clean, quiet, friendly and unpretentiously beautiful.
Short stop in Oslo
On my way to Trondheim, I had half a day in Oslo, so I could enjoy a long walk. As most of the museums close really early, it really wasn`t anything else to do.
Prepared for Christmas, Oslo is a real wonder. Actually, all Norway is like this, as all houses and streets are illuminated in winter, giving the cities and the surroundings a real festive look.
Christmas Market, small and picturesque, was a real treat and gave me the chance to meet Santa 😉
With the promise to be back in Oslo some other time for a few days to really have the chance to discover it, I get on the train to Trondheim – a seven hour extremely comfortable journey.
Trondheim – peace and quiet in the north
When you research Trondheim you find out it`s a vivid city, with a spectacular night life. You`ll soon find out it`s on a Scandinavian fun measurement scale that can probably put Bucharest a few light years ahead! Nevertheless, you`re not up north to party, or at least you shouldn’t be. So let`s review some of the reasons you should visit Trondheim.
Trondheim – `home of the strong and fertile ones` in old Norse – was founded by Viking King Olav Tryggvason in AD 997 and it`s still the coronation place of Norway’s kings. The first capital of the country is nowadays a popular destination for pilgrimages, an ecclesiastical centre, as well as an important education and research centre.
Famous for its wooden houses, some of them a few hundred years old, One of the typical wooden cities of Europe, Trondheim is famous for its wide boulevards – made to prevent fires from spreading after the catastrophic fire in 1681 that destroyed most of the houses in the city.
Home of the well kown Norwegian University of Science and Technology, an important commercial and industrial centre, Trondheim is considered Norway’s technological capital. In this city with almost 200.000 inhabitants, every sixth inhabitant is a student. But in Norway, where new and old naturally coexist, that`s not at all bizarre.
The must see places are:
Nidaros Cathedral Nidaros Cathedral is the world’s most northernmost cathedral and Norway’s national sanctuary. Construction began in 1070 over the shrine of Saint Olav. Nidaros was an important Christian pilgrimage site during the Middle Ages.
The column of Olav Tryggvason the Viking king in the middle of the town square.
The old town bridge (“Gamle Bybro”) with its carved gates. The 300 years old bridge is one of the most photographed attractions in Trondheim.
The wooden houses in the downtown and Bakklandet district. The old wooden buildings, originally workers houses, have now been restored and converted to flats, shops and restaurants.
The Trondheimsfjord, an inlet of the Norwegian Sea, is Norway’s third longest fjord (130 kilometres from Ørland to Steinkjer) and it passes through Trondheim on its way.
Solsiden – former docks transformed into clubs, pubs, bars and some of the best restaurants in Trondheim. Parts of these former docklands have been preserved so that there is an authentic setting with docks, slipways and cranes.
Right in the centre of the city is Nordre Gate, a popular pedestrian area and night life centre.
Kristiansten Fortress – built after the great town fire of 1681, it protected the town from the threat of Swedish invasion in 1718.
The Trampe cycle lift – the first bike lift in the world.
Go for a walk in Bymarka, a large outdoor sports area near Trondheim.
And definetly try the fish soup at Ravnkloa Fish Market.
AliTravelling 