Photo by Ole P. Rørvik / Aune forlag

The name Trondheim derives from the old Norse Þróndheimr, meaning home of the strong and fertile ones.

First Capital of Norway
The city was founded by Viking King Olav Tryggvason in AD 997, and occupies a special place in Norwegian culture and history. Trondheim was the nation's first capital, and continues to be the coronation city where Norway's kings from Harald Hårfagre (872–933) to King Harald V (1991 -) have been hailed, crowned and blessed.

In its history the  city was and is now again a popular destination for pilgrimages. Trondheim is also an ecclesiastical centre, a regional capital, a centre for industry and commerce, and an important education and research centre.

When you visit Trondheim, you will notice:

• The river winding slowly around the city's downtown district and the old wharves along the mouth of the river
• The majestic Nidaros cathedral
• The wide streets
• The tall column with the statue of Olav Tryggvason the Viking king in the middle of the town square
• The old town bridge ("Gamle Bybro") with its carved gates
• The wooden houses in the downtown and Bakklandet districts

Characteristic wooden architecture
After a catastrophic fire in 1681 destroyed most of the houses in the city, Major Jean Caspar de Cicignon was brought to Trondheim (from Luxembourg) to design a new city plan in the Baroque style. The streets were made wide to prevent fires from spreading. Some of the narrow alleys and narrow streets, many originating in the Middle Ages, nevertheless still exist, contrasting with Cicignon's wide boulevards from the 1600s. Even today Trondheim is spoken of as one of the typical wooden cities of Europe, and the city centre has many special wooden buildings, some built as far back as the 1700s.

Capital of Technology
Trondheim has a strong position as the centre of trade for central Norway. It has around 50 per cent of the regional retail trade and about 85 per cent of the wholesale trade, 85 per cent of imports and 65 per cent of exports. NTNU (the Norwegian University of Science and Technology), Trondheim's internationally renowned university, and the city's many research communities ensure that it is a city of innovation and development of science, business and industry ventures.  Trondheim is truly the nation's technological capital.

Every sixth inhabitant a student
Trondheim is home to around 180 000 inhabitants (2013). But if we count the large number of students (every sixth inhabitant is a student) the population swells to approximately 200 000. The students adds a youthful exuberance to this thousand-year old city. While it is not a large metropolis, Trondheim's location and opportunities put it on an equal footing with the major cities of Europe.

Cultural life
Trondheim has a rich cultural life with an international flavour. Every year at the end of July and start of August the city celebrates St. Olavs Festival, a popular church and cultural festival drawing crowds from near and far.

Trondheim in Wikipedia