Nidaros Cathedral, Trondheim (must see)

Nidaros Cathedral was built over King Olav II's burial site and developed into Scandinavia's most important medieval pilgrimage destination. Construction began around 1070 and continued in stages for more than two centuries, with the cathedral largely completed by about 1300. It also served as the traditional coronation church of Norway's monarchs until 1906 and remains the site of royal consecrations.

The cathedral takes its name from Nidaros, the medieval name of Trondheim. It belonged to the Roman Catholic Church until the Protestant Reformation of 1537, when it became the cathedral of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Norway. It is the northernmost medieval cathedral in the world. The great stone church seats approximately 1,850 people and combines Romanesque and Gothic architecture.

The cathedral suffered repeated disasters throughout its history. A comprehensive restoration began in 1869 under architect Heinrich Ernst Schirmer and was continued by several successors for more than a century. The restoration was officially declared complete in 2001.

Look for the richly decorated west façade, one of the cathedral's greatest treasures, covered with statues, angels, saints, gargoyles, masks, and symbolic figures. Only five original medieval sculptures remain in place; many damaged originals are preserved in the Archbishop's Palace Museum, while carefully carved replicas occupy the façade today. High above the façade, look toward the north tower, on your left as you face the cathedral. At the highest point stands Saint Michael, shown defeating the dragon.

Once inside, walk eastward along the nave toward the choir. The Octagon Chapel is at the far eastern end of the cathedral, behind the choir and high altar area. It features elegant Gothic architecture and the shrine area of Saint Olav. Near the site of the medieval high altar stands a modern silver reliquary containing relics associated with Saint Olav, including a forearm relic. Another notable altar stands beneath the crossing, where the nave and transept meet. There, look for the modern crucifix donated by Norwegian Americans.