Trondheim, located in the western coast of Norway, in the province of West Trøndelag, is the third largest city of the country. It is known of its culture, technology, biking activities and food. There are 30 000 students in the city, most of which are studying in the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. Annually several festivals are held in the city, from which the best-known is the largest church and cultural festival of Norway, St. Olav Festival.

What to do and see in Trondheim?

Old Town Bakklandet 

After you have left the city center and crossed the famous Old Town Bridge, you arrive in Bakklandet, the unique Old Town of Trondheim. The historical, fascinating and picturesque wooden houses along the river Nidelven have been excellently preserved. Pleasant cafés and restaurants attract the passers-by.  National Geographic awarded the café Bakklandet Skydsstation as the most charming café in Scandinavia. There are a lot of small galleries, and from the boutiques of craftsmen can be bought souvenirs. Absolutely worth of trying is Trampe, the bike lift with which you can reach the Kristiansten Fortress with bike.

The area was first settled in the beginning of the 17^th century. The bridge was constructed in 1681 and it made it easier to move in the region. The population of Trondheim had grown explosively and the expansion to the Bakklandet region was necessary. Because of several fires the first fire brigade of Trondheim was established in 1689. During that time there lived poor fishermen, craftsmen and workers. Nowadays Bakklandet is one of the trendiest suburbs of Trondheim.

Nidaros Cathedral 

Nidaros Cathedral is the national sanctuary of Norway which is built over the grave of St. Olav. The construction was started in 1070, but the oldest parts that have remained date from the middle of the 12^th century. Large reconstruction was initiated in 1869, but it left unfinished. The church is the northernmost pilgrim destination in Europe. A hostel serves the pilgrims, and a pilgrim service is held daily at 5:40 pm. In the West Front of the building are five medieval statues. They were restored during the years 1905 – 1983 with the help of several sculptors. In the north tower is the largest church bell in Norway. It was installed in 1964 and it weighs 2,400 kilos. It can be heard even 30 kilometers away in Melhus. From the three bells of the church the oldest is the Great Bell, which was cast in Hoorn in the Netherlands in 1751. In the archaeological excavations colorful glass was found from the Archbishop´s Palace in the 1990s. This shows that there were stained-glass windows in the church in the Middle Ages. Gabriel Kielland made new stained-glass windows during the years 1908 – 1934.

Ringve Music Museum

Ringve Museum is Norway´s national museum of music, in which are instruments from all over the world. There are two permanent exhibitions, temporary exhibitions and a digital archive The Music Garden in the museum. The collections can be explored with the help of an audio guide while listening stories about, for example, an Italian pocket violin, the Chinese instrument called Yangqin and a ukulele from Hawaii. In the Manor House building talented music guides show historical instruments such as an organ from the 1700s, a disc music box from the late 1800s and a self-playing piano from 1918. The interiors of the manor date from the 1880s. There is also a botanical garden in the museum area. The museum is open from April to October.

The Science Center Vitensenteret

The Science Center Vitensenteret, located in Gjøvik, in the old Holmen Brewery, is the newest and largest attraction in the inland Norway. In the same building are also located Mjøs Museum and Gjøvik glass factory. The technology center is full of interesting activities for all ages. The visitor can, for example, compete with a robot, watch the stars in the planetarium, try out indoor climbing, create own news sites on the Internet, drive with an old-fashioned farmer car on dark autumn roads in Ohio and compete who can yell the loudest. There are also a gift shop and a café in the area.

Shopping

• Located in the city center, Midtbyen is the best shopping area in Trondheim with almost 300 shops, among which are big chain stores as well as trend shops. There are 1,500 parking spaces, good traffic connections and three shopping centers in the area (Byhaven, Mercursenteret and Trondheim Torg).
• From the shopping center Byhaven you can get shoes, healthy products, interiors and accessories. There are also several restaurants in the center.
• In the shopping center Mercursenteret, located in Nordre gate, are 28 shops from which you can get, for example, electronics and clothes.
• Trondheim Torg is the largest shopping mall in the city center with 4 floors and over 70 shops. They sell, for example, fashion clothes, shoes, design, cosmetics and accessories.
• City Syd, located 8 kilometers south of the city center, is the largest shopping center in the area with over 70 shops.
• Located in an old shipyard, Solsiden is a modern shopping center with 60 shops. There is a large outdoor bar and restaurant area in the dock, which is very popular in summer.
• Located in the area of Strindheim, the shopping center Sirkus Shopping has a large collection of shops and services and a parking hall.

Kuvat: CC-lisenssillä / Sveter , Daderot , Molde20 ,