Colourful buildings reflected in a river
Architecture,  Monday walks,  Norway

A summer evening stroll in Trondheim

June 12, 2023 / 61 Comments

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.

River with small boats moored
Summer afternoon in Trondheim

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.

Large mural in shades of grey with various people and musical instruments
‘All is music, music is all’
Wall mounted sculpture of a large gaunt figure
Street art near our 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.

Yellow tulips
Round metal plate set into cobbled road

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.

Colourful buildings and bridge over a river
Converted warehouses and old town bridge

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).

Corrugated building with window and door
Small yellow painted house

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

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