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Published: June 23rd 2017
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The train to Trondheim left Oslo at 23:05. We were in seats as hadn't been able to get a sleeper when we booked. The train was busy as it was the start of the school holidays. We were thinking oh no we will have to sleep in the seats when an announcement came through there was a sleeper carriage available. Andy raced down to the cafeteria car and secured us a cabin.
On the way down to them ran into one of the cousins from the reunion. He was travelling with his wife and children. Andy did not see them and went back to say hello but the carriage lights had been turned out. The sleeping carriage was very small and crowded once we put our bags in. It was lovely to lie down though. Andy had the top bunk and me the bottom of course. The train arrived at Trondheim station at 6:40. As we got off we again ran into the cousin so were able to have a bit of a chat. Found the lockers to leave our bags as we are having the day here before catching another train tonight to Bodo.
Trondheim is a nice
place. We went first to the library where a church from the 1100s has been excavated from the floor. This includes some well preserved skeletons. You can also usually get wifi at the library. The wifi coverage is actually good nearly everywhere. Next to the library was an archeological dig.
From here we went to the Our Lady's Church whichJust celebrated it's 800 anniversary. It is a picturesque little church and they offer free coffee. There was also a homeless person sleeping on the pews.
We then went to the basement of the "Sparebank 1 Midt-Norge" where there is also part of a church and another skeleton. During Medieval times (997-1681) there were 3 monasteries and 13 churches in Trondheim.
On the way to the Nicaros Cathedral, we passed the "Go'dagen statue". Apparently this statue is designed after a wife came to the city to become a house maiden. She worked around the town square, and when people said hello she replied "Go'dagen" which means good day in Norwegian. We also passed the Olaf Tryggvason statue which is an 18m high statue in the middle of the town square of the Viking King Olaf Tryggvason.
The
Nicaros Cathedral is meant to be one of the most prestigious and important buildings in Norway. It is the most northern Gothic cathedral in the world and was built over "Olaf the holy". It is apparent a pilgrim destination for more than 1000 years. At one stage many more people than Olaf were buried at the cathedral and it could get a bit on the nose. When the flooring rotted and collapsed all bar Olaf were removed. There are only empty scripts and graves under the church now. At 13:00 there was an organ recitaL. There are 9,648 pipes. It was impressive. Andy then climbed the cathedral tower of 178 stairs which he thought was great.
Nicaros Cathedral is where the monarchs of Norway are crowned and the crown regalia is in Trondheim. It is a permanent exhibition in the vault in the archbishops palace which is next to the cathedral. The crown jewels are impressive. It wasn't until 1990 that Norwegian law was changed so that the eldest child regardless of gender could inherit the throne. This means that the Crown Princes daughter will eventually become the first queen.
As part of this complex there is also
another museum called The Armoury. This is an Army Museum as well as a resistance museum. It has a large collection and f edged weapons on display and shows Norways military history from Viking times, to the Middle Ages and the union with Denmark and Sweden. Then there is the resistance section on Norway during the German occupation,
From here we decided to get the ferry to Munkholmen Island. This was a Fortress until decommissioned in 1893. It is a popular tourist spot. The weather had been fine up until this point in time and then it decided to rain and of course my jacket was in the luggage locker.
After the ferry we walked through the old city where the buildings are being restored. There was a fire in 1681 which destroyed Trondheim and when it was rebuilt the streets were made larger and the wharf area was separated from the commercial area. After this went up the hill to the Kristiansten Fort. This was built after the city fire of 1681 to protect the city against attack from the east. Construction finished in 1685.
On the way down saw the bicycle-elevator trampe. This is a
specific elevator for bikes and meant to be the first in the world. Unfortunately, it is not working so we didn't see it in action.
Stopped at some local pubs on the way to the railway station to get out of the rain and have a drink before hoping on the train. It leaves at 23:40.
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Lorinda
non-member comment
You have had some very busy days. Thanks so much for all the information on what you are doing have looked at the map you have covered a big area.