The Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim

Nidaros Cathedral is situated in the middle of Trondheim city centre. The cathedral, which was built from 1070 onwards, is the most important Gothic monument in Norway and it was Northern Europe's most important pilgrimage site for Christians during the Middle Ages. The oldest parts still in existence are from the middle of the 12th century.

From around 1050 until the Reformation the cathedral was an important destination for pilgrims. Mainly built in the Gothic style, but the oldest parts around the transept reflect the Roman style.

During the Middle Ages, and after independence was restored in 1814, the Nidaros Cathedral was the coronation church of the Norwegian kings. King Haakon VII was the last monarch to be crowned there, in 1906. In 1957, King Olav V, was the first king to be consecrated there, rather than crowned. In 1991, the present King Harald V and Queen Sonja were consecrated in the cathedral.

The pilgrimage route to Nidaros Cathedral, the site of Saint Olav's tomb, has recently been re-instated. There is a Pilgrim's Office in Oslo which gives advice to pilgrims, and a Pilgrim Centre in Trondheim, under the aegis of the cathedral, which awards certificates to pilgrims who successfully complete the journey.