Nidaros Cathedral

Last week, we were able to attend the St. Olav Festival in Trondheim. St. Olav was a viking from about the year 1030 that brought Catholicism/Christianity to Norway. For centuries, even his corpse was considered holy.

These Festivities provided many fun activities for us to witness and take part in. And, we finally took the opportunity to enter the famous Nidaros Cathedral, which dates back to the early 1012's.

The Nidaros Cathedral is a prominent land mark that can be seen from most places within city limits. I can only imagine how imposing it must have seemed a few hundred years ago, as pilgrims journeyed from far away places to seek penance.

The details, from the statutes of the Saints and the fierce gargoyles to the large stain glass windows are so fascinating! We could spend hours exploring this ancient cathedral.

We were able to make the climb to one of the tallest towers of the church. Guides warned us to reconsider the trip if we were prone to shortness of breath or claustrophobia. The 172 steps going up, twists narrowly in a tight spiral - not allowing room to go side by side or pass anyone.

Some places got a little dark, so we used the flash of the camera to shed some light on the very narrow steps.

We also had to pass through this narrow corridor. It was up high, close to the rafters. People were definitely smaller back in those days!

These narrow windows were our only source of light going up the spiral staircase.

The view up top proves to be a fitting reward from the long climb.

Entering the church courtyard, we were met with all sorts of interesting medieval characters; kings, princesses, knights, vikings, royal jests, flame throwers, moving statutes, and so on. It gave the children a chance to see where they would fit in in a medieval era. Blacksmiths, stone carver, nobility, princess or viking.

Can't quite decided between the two........

Trying on replica's of the Royal robes and crowns.

Jostling knights in armour.

Future stone carvers, hard at work.

Three princesses posing for a photographer

Our little princess was so besotted with this medieval costume that she battered her eyelids enough to make me give in and buy it. She immediately insisted on wearing it and became the object of much admiration, with passerbys saying "Oh, look at that little princess!"

Of course, she didn't mind one bit posing for pictures.