Archbishop's Palace & Museum, Trondheim (must see)

For centuries, the Archbishop's Palace was the seat of the Archbishop of Nidaros, the highest-ranking church official in medieval Norway. Built alongside Nidaros Cathedral, the complex served as both a residence and an administrative center for the archbishop. Following the Protestant Reformation in 1537, the archbishopric was abolished, and the palace became property of the Norwegian Crown.

Over the following centuries, the complex was enlarged and adapted for new purposes. It served as the residence of royal governors and later as a military facility. Today, it is one of Norway's best-preserved secular medieval buildings and houses several museums. Archaeological excavations carried out during the 1990s became among the largest medieval excavations ever undertaken in Norway.

More than 120 archaeologists from 12 countries participated in the project, recovering approximately 160,000 artifacts along with the remains of about 100 medieval buildings. Among the most remarkable discoveries were the remains of three successive minting workshops, built one above another. The oldest was the best preserved and is believed to have produced coins during the time of Archbishop Gaute Ivarsson in the late 15th century.

The museum presents many of these archaeological discoveries alongside models illustrating how the Archbishop's Palace evolved over the centuries. It also displays a remarkable collection of medieval sculptures, including original statues removed from Nidaros Cathedral during restoration work.

Another section of the complex houses the Norwegian Armed Forces Museum in Trondheim. Its exhibits trace Norway's military history from the Viking Age through the Middle Ages, the unions with Denmark and Sweden, and the German occupation during the Second World War. Weapons, armor, uniforms, medals, and historical artifacts help bring each period to life.

The west wing of the Archbishop's Palace is also home to the Norwegian Crown Regalia. The royal crowns, scepters, swords, and other ceremonial objects have been kept in Trondheim since 1826 and have been displayed here permanently since 2006, offering visitors a rare opportunity to see some of Norway's most important national treasures.