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TRONDHEIM
"Home is where your heart is...."
I was born and brought up in Trondheim, so naturally this is The Place
within my heart. Had it not been for the appalling climate in this city
(ask anyone who has visited Trondheim), I would probably have stayed. Having
said that, I would like to state that this is the only negative aspect
I can think of with regard to Trondheim. Trondheim is, in fact, a very
beautiful city! Packed with historical sights and with a wonderful atmosphere!
The people of Trondheim is another "pro". Their "joie-de-vivre"
and almost importunate hospitality compensate for the well-established
fact that they are slow... However, it's hard to beat them. "You
need a bullet to get a "trønder" is an old expression
that really fits!
History
Trondheim is Norway's second oldest city and was founded by Olav Tryggvason in 997. However, it has been established that there was settlement in this area already before this. The importance of the city increased significantly after the battle of Stiklestad in 1030 when the body of Saint Olav was brough to Trondheim (then called Nidaros), and the new capital of Norway became one of the main targets for pilgrimage in Europe.
The work on the cathedral (Nidarosdomen) was completed in 1320. Parallel with this work, the residence of Archbishop Olav Engelbrektsson was built and formed the center of power in an empire stretching from Norway to Greenland. The Black Death set back the city tremendously, but the great era of power did not end until the King of Denmark introduced the Reformation and the Archbishop was forced to flea to England.
The city burned completely down in 1681 and a new city plan was designed by the major-general Cicignon who also built the fortress Kristiansten as well as other fortifications. Cicignon's plan for the city has, to a high degree, been maintained in today's street system.
Trondheim of today has around 143,000 inhabitants. Despite the fact that the activities at several factories have been terminated, the city is still a major industrial city. Norway's second largest university is found here, as well as the largest research institution in Northern Europe - SINTEF. Trondheim is also the node of communication and center of administration for Mid-Norway.
Source: Trondheim Aksess: Tusenårsjubiléet (1996)
Sights
Nidarosdomen
Kristiansten Festning
Stiftsgården
Gamle Bybro
For more info and pictures: Check out Stig Aga Aanstad's Trondheim pages:
http://www.nvg.unit.no/~aga/nidaros/index.html
Also, check out Henning Meyer's beautiful and extremely detailed clickable map of Trondheim!
http://ridderbred.novit.no/Meyer/Nor/Earth/Europe/Trondheim/index.html
Rosenborg Ballklubb (RBK)
Ahhh! Here we have the pride of not only the city, but the entire nation! After beating Inter Milan at San Siro stadium in Milan in 1996, they are almost declared Gods in Norway. If you ever go to see a football match for the sake of the atmopshere, you definitely want to be at Lerkendal Stadium during the last match before May 17th (Constitution Day). OK, so we don't have samba rhythms in Trondheim, but 25,000 people (sorry, but can't fit more people into the stadium!) out of a population of 140,000 can't be wrong!
RBK's Official Home Page
Picture - Boys of '97
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