In short:
- The Battle of Stiklestad in 1030 made Olav a saint.
- Olsok is celebrated on 29 July with the play Spelet om Heilag Olav.
- St. Olav's Way passes Tinghaugen on Frosta.
Few people have left such clear traces in Trøndelag as Olav the Holy. From the battlefield at Stiklestad to Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim, you can follow the story of the king who became a saint, and Frosta lies in the middle of the landscape.
Stiklestad
At Stiklestad in Verdal, King Olav fell in battle in 1030. Soon afterwards he was regarded as a saint, and Stiklestad became an important place for pilgrims. Today Stiklestad National Cultural Centre is here, with a museum, an open-air stage and a reconstructed longhouse farm. Every year around Olsok, 29 July, the play Spelet om Heilag Olav is performed.
The Frostating
The laws that applied in Trøndelag in Olav's time were adopted at the Frostating. Tinghaugen on Frosta is one of the most important sites from the Norwegian Middle Ages, and St. Olav's Way passes here. Read more about the history tour on Frosta.
Tautra and Steinvikholm
The monastery ruins on Tautra and the archbishop's castle at Steinvikholm show how strong the church became in Trøndelag after Olav's death.
Trondheim and Nidaros Cathedral
Olav was buried in Nidaros, and Nidaros Cathedral was built over his grave. The cathedral is still the goal of pilgrims from all over the world.
How to plan the trip
Start in Trondheim, take a RIB across the fjord to Frosta with a stop at Steinvikholm, visit Tinghaugen and Tautra, and drive on north to Stiklestad.
Experience medieval Trøndelag with a local guide.
Frequently asked questions
When was the Battle of Stiklestad?
In 1030.
What is Olsok?
St. Olav's Day, 29 July, in memory of Olav the Holy.
Does St. Olav's Way pass through Frosta?
Yes, the route passes Tinghaugen on Frosta.