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Trondheim — travel, stays & events guide
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Trondheim city overview
Trondheim is a city in Norway shaped by its region, population, local economy, landmarks, climate and civic history. This overview summarizes the city itself: where it sits, what defines it, which places anchor its identity and why it matters within the wider country.
City facts
Airport baseTrondheim Værnes (TRD)
Known forNidaros Cathedral, Bakklandet, Old Town Bridge, Kristiansten Fortress
Population~217kcity context
RegionNorwayNorway
Time zoneEurope/Oslolocal time
Founded997historical origin
City history
The city was established in 997 by Olav Tryggvason and it was originally named Nidaros (Old Norse: Niðaróss).
From 1152, Trondheim was the seat of the Archbishop of Nidaros for Norway, which operated from the Archbishop's Palace.
It was also frequently used as the king's seat and was Norway's capital until 1217.
The 1651 fire destroyed 90% of all buildings within the city limits.
After the Treaty of Roskilde on 26 February 1658, Trondheim and the rest of Trøndelag became Swedish territory briefly.
After the "Horneman Fire" in 1681, there was an almost total reconstruction of the city, overseen by General Johan Caspar von Cicignon, originally from Luxembourg.
The city of Trondheim was established on 1 January 1838 (see formannskapsdistrikt law).
In 1924, the name of the Norwegian capital city was changed from Kristiania to Oslo, removing the name referencing a Danish King in favor of the very old name Oslo.
The Trondhjem Cathedral would be changed to Nidaros Cathedral effective on 1 July 1929 and the name of the city would change to Nidaros starting on 1 January 1930.
During the Second World War, Trondheim was occupied by Nazi Germany from 9 April 1940, the first day of the invasion of Norway, until the end of the war in Europe, 8 May 1945.
The scales symbolise justice and the motif is based on the political philosophy of the 13th century, where the balance of power between king and church was an important issue.
During the late Middle Ages, the city name was commonly shortened to Þróndheimr, dropping the kaupanger part, and over time the name became Trondhjem, using the Dano-Norwegian spelling rather than the Old Norse spelling.
Some scholars believe that the famous Lewis chessmen, 12th-century chess pieces carved from walrus ivory that were found in the Hebrides and are now at the British Museum, may have been made in Trondheim.
Broad avenues, such as Munkegata, were created, without regard for private property rights, to limit the damage from future fires.
Worth seeing
Nidaros Cathedral
Nidaros Cathedral is a practical Trondheim planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Bakklandet
Bakklandet is a practical Trondheim planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Old Town Bridge
Old Town Bridge is a practical Trondheim planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Kristiansten Fortress
Kristiansten Fortress is a practical Trondheim planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Solsiden
Solsiden is a practical Trondheim planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
NTNU campus
NTNU campus is a practical Trondheim planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Stay overview
Compare Trondheim before booking Trondheim hotels. Start with the places you will repeat most, then check airport timing, parking, nightly price and event demand before choosing the final base.
Hotels & areas
Compare accommodation options in and around Trondheim by area, not only by nightly price. A cheaper room can become expensive when airport transfers, parking, attraction routes, late arrivals or event-week demand add time and cost.
Compare stays in Trondheim, NorwayFlights & airports
Trondheim Værnes (TRD) arrival plan
- Trondheim Værnes (TRD)Trondheim Værnes (TRD), Trondheim
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Rental cars
Trondheim day-trip car use
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Compare rental carsTravel tips
Best time to visit
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Transport notes
Choose a base around the trips you will repeat most: airport, station, old town, waterfront, venue district or day-trip route.
Crowds
Prices can jump around festivals, conventions, school holidays, cruise days, ski weeks, race weekends and large sports events.
Booking detail
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Upcoming events
No upcoming Trondheim events in the shared event index yet.