In Viking times this was the capital of Norway. Today it is a busy modern city with an impressive cathedral. It lies where the Nidelva river meets Trondheim Fjord, creating an excellent sheltered harbour. Although south of the Arctic Circle and therefore experiencing neither Polar Night nor Midnight Sun, in the summer months it remains light enough all night for artificial lighting only to be needed in poor weather.
When my friends and I spent a night here recently, before boarding the Hurtigruten ship that was to take us to Tromsø, the weather was good. So much so that after a pleasant dinner together some of us decided to grab our cameras from our hotel rooms and take a late evening stroll. It should make for a pleasant Monday Walk for Jo.
We found some interesting street art near the hotel.
But our main focus was on the river banks and the beautiful late evening light. We strolled along the west bank first. Old warehouses flank both sides of the river, many of them today converted to what I suspect are trendy and expensive apartments.
This far north late May is the season for tulips and there were plenty in the flower beds along the river bank. I was also interested in the manhole covers, which depict the city’s coat of arms. This represents two kings significant to Trondheim, namely Olav Tryggvason who founded the city and Olav the Holy who was declared a saint after his death. The city’s Nidaros Cathedral (visible in one of my photos above) was built over his tomb, but more of that in a future post.
We were heading towards the Old Town Bridge, Gamle Bybro. This was built in 1681 after a fire that year devastated Trondheim. It replaced an earlier wooden bridge destroyed in that fire which acted as a toll bridge for entry to the city.
On the far side of the river we turned to walk back along some interesting little lanes which felt more village- than town-like. While it seemed chilly to us, used to more southerly summers, locals were out enjoying the light evening on balconies and the terraces of bars and restaurants. I loved the architecture here, which reminded me a lot of that in Iceland (unsurprising given the strong connection between the two countries).
All the photos below were taken between 22.30 and 23.05, which gives you an idea of the light at that time of day.
I visited Trondheim in May 2023
61 Comments
Annie Berger
Who couldn’t be mesmerized by your nighttime photos of the colorful buildings and their reflections?!
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks so much Annie 😊 I was equally mesmerised by these sights!
wetanddustyroads
Oh, I love your reflection photos! The coloured buildings are picturesque and of course the tulips.
Thanks, for my “Sarah fix” on a cold Monday night … I’ve been enjoying browsing your posts now!
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you in return, it’s been great to get your feedback on all these recent posts 😊
Forestwood
Trondheim is my absolute favourite Norwegian city although they are so many that are wonderful. The architectural colours are at they best on a still river. I use a couple of my Trondheim photos as headers for my blog. Did you get to Skyndstatiin a cute little cafe in Bakklandet? https://forestwoodfolkart.wordpress.com/2022/04/17/eight-unique-places-to-visit-in-trondheim-norway/
Sarah Wilkie
Sorry Amanda, I didn’t get a notification for this comment and have only just found it! No, we didn’t get to that cafe – it does look lovely 🙂 Unfortunately I only had the one night here, less than 24 hours, only booked in order to fit in with the Hurtigruten schedules. Had I realised how pretty it was, and how interesting, I would have booked an extra night I think!
Forestwood
No worries. I am thinking of taking a Hurtigruten Cruise myself. Norway is calling me once again. Five trips there is not enough!
Sarah Wilkie
I know how much you love it! I’d have liked to have spent longer exploring – maybe another time 🙂
Tanja
It looks very beautiful, love the colorful facades
Sarah Wilkie
It was lovely to see all this colour reflected in the water – thanks Tanja 🙂
rkrontheroad
Love those colorful buildings and their reflections in those Northern European countries!
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Ruth, these scenes felt like classic northern Europe to me too 🙂
Pingback:
grandmisadventures
I can’t get over how lovely those colored houses are next to the river. Especially with the wooden bridge and the sunset behind it. Incredible pictures!
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you 🙂 It really was so pretty there, and to see sunset skies at 11 PM was indeed incredible!
Suzanne
Wow, what a gorgeous place to explore. Your images are amazing, Sarah. Converted warehouses seem to be a thing to do in many cities which I think is a good thing than demolishing them. Norway is fascinating by all accounts and expensive so I hear.
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks so much Suzanne 😊 Yes, it’s very expensive – £10 for a not very large glass of wine isn’t unusual!
Suzanne
Ouch 🙂
HeyJude
Hah! I read the toll bridge as troll bridge! I can imagine them living under the wooden one. I spent a summer season working in Norway and found it really difficult to sleep. The scenery and the fjords are spectacular, though I never got to Trondheim. I have always wanted to do that cruise.
Sarah Wilkie
I’m sure there are troll bridges elsewhere in the country 😂 The scenery is indeed spectacular and we had some wonderful views from the ship – I definitely recommend that if you do get the chance. As for sleeping, I had blackout curtains in both the hotels I stayed in but actually I’m used to a light bedroom (we have a street lamp right outside ours!) so a bit of light seeping through didn’t bother me at all.
thehungrytravellers.blog
There is a very different look to this part of the world, isn’t there. The Scandinavian countries plus Iceland and the Faroes – there is a certain look which is instantly recognisable, even if you haven’t been (I’ve only visited Stockholm in the whole area). Oh and by the way, you gotta love the name Olav The Holy, huh?!
Sarah Wilkie
Yes, this instantly shouts Scandinavia 🙂 I’ll have more about Olav the Holy in my cathedral post in due course …
Sue
What a lovely evening stroll! Love the colourful buildings, interesting street art, and the light at that time of the evening
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Sue, it was a perfect evening for a stroll with friends (one of whom I hadn’t seen for four years!)
Sue
Sounds great!
margaret21
This looks a charming place – and it doesn’t seem to have a city vibe at all, despite one of your photos telling a different story. Or are your shots – inevitably – quite selective?
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks Margaret 😊 This was a particularly peaceful part of the city, but Trondheim is small by UK city standards – more like some of our smaller cathedral cities than big conurbations. I’ll show you a little bit more when I post about the cathedral, which is amazing, but I didn’t have long enough there to properly explore.
margaret21
Ha! I’ve just looked up its population! It’s at least 12 times larger than Ripon, and seems pretty big to this country mouse. It’s kept its intimate character well.
Sarah Wilkie
The population probably includes a lot of people in very outlying districts but yes, bigger than Ripon!
Forestwood
Trondheim is a University city, Margaret so the population is swelled by hordes of students during the academic year.
margaret21
Ah! That explains it then.
Forestwood
Indeed.
Anne Sandler
Great post Sarah. I loved the mirror reflections in the river and the buildings’ colors.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Anne, the river was great for reflections, almost completely still 😀
SoyBend
Cool mural! Liked the colorful buildings and spring flowers too.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Siobhan – it was a surprise seeing the spring flowers when they’ve long since finished here but if I’d thought about it more I shouldn’t have been so surprised, given the northerly latitude and climate there!
Easymalc
Trondheim looks so inviting – or is it just your superb photographs that make it look that way? You’ve captured those reflections perfectly Sarah.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Malcolm 😊 That part of the city was particularly attractive but although I only spent a short while there it seemed a rather nice small city.
bushboy
Quite a beautiful place 🙂
Sarah Wilkie
It’s a lovely spot Brian 🙂
Anna
Absolutely gorgeous Sarah! I have always wanted to visit Norway since I was like, 16 years old because (and dont laugh), I had the biggest crush on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer! Lol! Yes, i was addicted to anything Norway for a while because of that! Still haven’t got there so I obviously grew out of that phase! 😀
Sarah Wilkie
Oh no, not Solskjaer?! Why on earth??? Sorry, I did have to laugh at that 🤣🤣 But I’m glad you enjoyed this (and, presumably, grew out of that crush!)
Anna
Hahaha dont be mean! I was young and I thought he was so cute! Babyfaced! Lol. Glad my youthful stupidity could make you laugh! 🤪
Sarah Wilkie
Oh we’ve all had dodgy crushes in our time! But a Man U player, how could you?!
Anna
Lol I’ve been following them since I was 14, this girl called Sarah came from England and introduced me to the EPL and them. She would get me magazines and posters on them which back then was super hard as Australia was a football backwater. Lol
Mike and Kellye Hefner
You’ve captured the intrigue and beauty of Trondheim, Sarah! Your gorgeous photos make me want to see it person during the month of May.
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks so much Kellye 😀 I really liked the city, but wrap up warm if you go!
Alli Templeton
What a wonderful walk! Strangely, I never thought of places this far north having so much colour, but Trondheim seems to offer a real rainbow of hues. And the tulips too – fantastic! I love the warehouses/expensive apartments, and that river looks like a millpond, reflecting the colours so beautifully. 🙂
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Alli 🙂 Yes, the river was very still. This is near where it empties into the fjord; it’s tidal and I think was on the turn at that time which perhaps explains the stillness? The red and ochre colours are traditional for Norway, along with white. Red was used by the poorer people as it could be made with iron oxide or even animal blood. Ochre, made with copper, was more expensive, and only the richest could afford white, made from zinc. Today people can choose any colour but red and ochre still seem to be the most popular.
Alli Templeton
The strength of tradition, I suppose! 🙂 Looks really good, though. A lot of the colour story sounds reminiscent of the middle ages. Goodness knows how much it would have cost to paint a house purple! 🙂
restlessjo
It’s a distinctive style of architecture, isn’t it? Very Scandinavian. The reflections are lovely. Thanks a lot, Sarah.
Sarah Wilkie
Yes very distinctive and very appealing – the colour seems to add some much-needed warmth 😀
restlessjo
🤗💗
Terri Webster Schrandt
How gorgeous are these views, Sarah? I just love these building and the reflections!
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Terri – the reflections were amazing, I took loads of (far too similar) photos!
Egídio
Beautiful composition highlighting the colors and reflections.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you so much, I appreciate those kind words 😊
Yvonne Dumsday
I loved that gentle reminder of my time there Sarah – thankuou for posting. Just one little nit-pick (sorry, but you know me well enough not to take umbrage) I thought that “elva” meant River so Nidelva translates as River Nid. .
Sarah Wilkie
Glad it took you back Yvonne 🙂 Yes, you’re right about ‘elva’, which is why I used lower case river after the word to denote that it was a river rather than including it as part of the title, but I can see that could seem ambiguous!
Monkey's Tale
Gorgeous pictures Sarah, I love the brightly coloured building along the water’s edge. And the street art is really interesting! Maggie
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Maggie – yes, I loved those buildings too, a photographer’s dream!