Trondheim

Olav Tryggvason founded the place in 997 as Nidaros, the outlet of the river Nid, and it served as Norway’s capital through the Viking Age until 1217. From 1152 to 1537 it was the seat of the Catholic Archdiocese of Nidaros, and it remains the seat of the Lutheran diocese and the site of the cathedral. The city sits on the south shore of the Trondheim Fjord where the Nidelva reaches it, and despite the latitude the climate is mild, with seaside winters often staying above freezing. It is now a technology town: NTNU, SINTEF and the Geological Survey are all here.