Torvet (Town Square), Trondheim
Olaf Tryggvason, son of Tryggvi Olafsson, and great grandson of Harald Fairhair, will always be remembered as Olaf I. He is known to have had four wives who brought him good luck. He settled in Ireland but he was lured to Norway to battle Jarl Haakon. He defeated Haakon in the year 996 and became king.
But in 1000 AD Olaf, in turn, was defeated at sea by the Danes, Swedes and Wends. In the battle he was thrown into the sea and was never seen again. His reign by the River Nid in Trondheim was short but busy. He founded Trondheim and its Town Square (Torvet).
Town Square was set up as a place for commerce and events. The city was near destroyed by fire in 1681. Johan Caspar de Cicignon, a renowned general and military engineer, drew up a new layout for the city. The boundaries of the Town Square were set and have remained so to this day. Johan favored the Baroque in anything he built or rebuilt.
In 1921 Wilhelm Rasmussen, a well known sculptor of Norway, unveiled his monument to King Olaf I. The monument is a 58 foot column in the center of the square. King Olaf stands on a pedestal at the top. The statue doubles as a sundial as drawn on the cobblestones below.
Town Square at one time was bound on three sides by elite mansions of the wealthy. Now Olaf presides over a shopping center and tourists taking their ease.
But in 1000 AD Olaf, in turn, was defeated at sea by the Danes, Swedes and Wends. In the battle he was thrown into the sea and was never seen again. His reign by the River Nid in Trondheim was short but busy. He founded Trondheim and its Town Square (Torvet).
Town Square was set up as a place for commerce and events. The city was near destroyed by fire in 1681. Johan Caspar de Cicignon, a renowned general and military engineer, drew up a new layout for the city. The boundaries of the Town Square were set and have remained so to this day. Johan favored the Baroque in anything he built or rebuilt.
In 1921 Wilhelm Rasmussen, a well known sculptor of Norway, unveiled his monument to King Olaf I. The monument is a 58 foot column in the center of the square. King Olaf stands on a pedestal at the top. The statue doubles as a sundial as drawn on the cobblestones below.
Town Square at one time was bound on three sides by elite mansions of the wealthy. Now Olaf presides over a shopping center and tourists taking their ease.
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Torvet (Town Square) on Map
Sight Name: Torvet (Town Square)
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