The Hospital Church was built in 1705 and still serves as the insitutional church for the Hospital to this day. This was the first octagonal timber church to be built in Norway or Sweden. On Kongens gate, close to the centre of town, the church is situated on the grounds of Trondhjem Hospital, which was founded in 1277 and is Scandinavia's oldest existing social institution. Since 1866 it has been used as a home for the elderly. It has also been a poor house and an asylum for the insane.
At the entrace to the church you will find a copy of the pillory which was used here in stricter times. Unfortunate "criminals" were chained and left to the mercies of the passersby. Their crimes: Swearing, disturbing the peace and, of course, disturbing the church service.
Hospitalsløkka This is the area surrounding the old "Trondhjem Hospital". Here you will find typical old timber dwellings, most of which have been restored, helping to make the city centre an attractive residential area.
The name "løkka" refers to open lots that used to be in the area and were owned by the hospital's foundation.
