Gamle Bybro (Old Town Bridge), Trondheim (must see)
After the great fire of 1681, Johan Caspar von Cicignon, a renowned general and military engineer, built a bridge across the Nidelva river. It led from central Trondheim to the Bakklandet district and Kristiansten Fortress. A military access was necessary to the fortress at this point. The bridge functioned as a guarded city gate until 1816.
The Old Town Bridge was made with wood. The actual bridge today is a reconstruction by municipal engineer Carl Adolf Dahl in 1861. Dahl was the executive engineer of the city for public works in the latter half of the 19th century. Initially there was a sentry guardhouse at each end of the bridge.
King Christian V of Denmark financed the bridge construction himself. It was completed in 1685. Old Town Bridge took the place of the original Elgeseter Bridge nearby. After the Old Town Bridge opened, the Elgeseter Bridge was neglected and allowed to deteriorate and collapse.
One guard house was later demolished but the excise house on the west bank is still extant and in use as a day care center. The carved gates of the Old Town Bridge are the distinctive earmarks of Trondheim. Walk under the gates and take in the view of the fortress and the colorful houses of Bakklandet.
Old Town Bridge has been called the "Gate of Happiness". This is from the waltz lyrics of Norwegian composer Kristian Oskar Hoddo, "Nidelven quiet and beautiful you are." Hoddo wrote the lyrics while contemplating the river from the bridge in 1940. He later became a member of the anti-Nazi resistance. He was executed in Trondheim in 1943.
The Old Town Bridge was made with wood. The actual bridge today is a reconstruction by municipal engineer Carl Adolf Dahl in 1861. Dahl was the executive engineer of the city for public works in the latter half of the 19th century. Initially there was a sentry guardhouse at each end of the bridge.
King Christian V of Denmark financed the bridge construction himself. It was completed in 1685. Old Town Bridge took the place of the original Elgeseter Bridge nearby. After the Old Town Bridge opened, the Elgeseter Bridge was neglected and allowed to deteriorate and collapse.
One guard house was later demolished but the excise house on the west bank is still extant and in use as a day care center. The carved gates of the Old Town Bridge are the distinctive earmarks of Trondheim. Walk under the gates and take in the view of the fortress and the colorful houses of Bakklandet.
Old Town Bridge has been called the "Gate of Happiness". This is from the waltz lyrics of Norwegian composer Kristian Oskar Hoddo, "Nidelven quiet and beautiful you are." Hoddo wrote the lyrics while contemplating the river from the bridge in 1940. He later became a member of the anti-Nazi resistance. He was executed in Trondheim in 1943.
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Gamle Bybro (Old Town Bridge) on Map
Sight Name: Gamle Bybro (Old Town Bridge)
Sight Location: Trondheim, Norway (See walking tours in Trondheim)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Trondheim, Norway (See walking tours in Trondheim)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Trondheim, Norway
Create Your Own Walk in Trondheim
Creating your own self-guided walk in Trondheim is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Trondheim's Historic Buildings Walk
Renowned for its broad cultural scene and a rich, long history, Tronheim is without a doubt one of Norway's most photogenic cities. A visit here is like a journey through 1000 years, where exciting experiences await practically around every corner.
Much of Trondheim鈥檚 historic asset 鈥� colorful warehouses, centuries-old listed wooden buildings, medieval churches and other prominent... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Much of Trondheim鈥檚 historic asset 鈥� colorful warehouses, centuries-old listed wooden buildings, medieval churches and other prominent... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Trondheim Introduction Walking Tour
Trondheim was the first capital of Norway. It is the place where kings are consecrated. It is idyllically located on the river Nidelva within easy access to the sea. It has been the home of saints and warriors. It is called Trondheim. "Trond" is a "good place." "Heim" means "home." It is not too big a stretch to say "Trondheim" is a "good... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles