King Olav Haraldsson was buried by Nidelven after being killed in the battle of Stiklestad in 1030. Tradition has it that the high Altar of the Cathedral now stands on the exact spot of his burial place. The King was later declared a saint, and pilgrims began to flock to Nidaros. Work on erecting the first stone church at St. Olav's grave site commenced around 1070, and it is thought that the Cathedral was finished in all its splendour in about 1300.

The Cathedral has undergone a great deal of restoration work after centuries of decay, but after more than 130 years of renovation and rebuilding, you can now appreciate the impression the church must have made on medieval pilgrims. Each year the Cathedral welcomes some 400,000 tourists from around the globe. It also serves as the local parish church for the inhabitants of downtown Trondheim. To hear music recitals under the Cathedral's high vaulted arches is a sublime experience.