The Archbishop's Palace

Right next to Nidaros Cathedral lies the Archbishop’s Palace, one of the most important medieval building complexes in Norway. This was the home and power centre of the Archbishop of Nidaros until the Reformation in 1537. The archbishop was not only a religious leader, but also one of the most powerful people in the country. The complex was first built in the 12th century, partly under Archbishop Øystein Erlendsson, and was expanded over several hundred years. Over time, the Archbishop’s Palace became a fortified complex, with stone buildings, surrounding walls and rooms for administration. Important decisions were made here, about church matters, economy and politics. In the Middle Ages, this was a place of power, wealth and international contact. After the Reformation, the Church lost much of its power, and the complex was used as a royal residence. Later, it became a military area, with storehouses, depots and buildings connected to the defence of the city. In 1983, a large fire destroyed several of the military wooden buildings. After the fire, extensive archaeological excavations were carried out, giving new knowledge about medieval Trondheim. Today, the Archbishop’s Palace contains museums, original sculptures from Nidaros Cathedral, the Armoury Museum and the Norwegian Crown Regalia. Here, church history, royal power, military history and archaeology all meet in one place.