The Fishmarket

Ravnkloa is one of the best-known places in Trondheim, and for many people, this is where the city truly meets the fjord. This open public space lies at the lower end of Munkegata, on the historic axis between Nidaros Cathedral and Munkholmen. That location says a lot. For hundreds of years, this is where the city turned towards the sea, the fish, and the trade that came with it. The name Ravnkloa has been in use since the early 18th century. It may be linked to a man named Peder Raffnklau, who is mentioned in written sources as early as 1619. Ravnkloa has long been an important place for fish trading. From 1841, it was also used as a market area, and in 1896 a dedicated fish market was established here. In 1945, the fish trade moved indoors into a temporary fish hall, and the current fish market building opened in the year 2000. The fish trade here was not just a romantic piece of coastal heritage. It was part of the city’s daily economy and everyday life. People came here to buy food, meet each other, and see what the sea had provided. So Ravnkloa is more than just a pleasant place by the water. It is a living reminder of Trondheim as a trading city, a seafood city, and a coastal city.