Trondheim - Norway - page 372

Stiklestad Kirke is a Romanesque church from 1150. It was built over a
former wooden church on the exact spot where it is believed that King Olaf was
felled in battle. In 1500 the nave of the little church was extended, and some 9
centuries later a series of 16th-century frescoes that had been used to decorate
the walls of the nave were uncovered. At one time a stone that was said to have
been the rock on which Olaf leaned before he died was on display here. In
medieval times it was said that the stone had miraculous healing powers, but in
time it disappeared, never to resurface. A soapstone baptismal font from the
12th century is the only artifact remaining from ancient times. A series of paint-
ings in the chancel, commissioned for the 900th anniversary of the battle, relates
the events of that fateful day.
The center can be visited from June to mid-August daily from 9am to 8pm.
In the off season, hours are Monday to Friday 11am to 5:30pm and Saturday
and Sunday 11am to 5:30pm. In summer admission is 95NOK ($13) for adults,
50NOK ($7.10) for children. In the off season the price is reduced to 60NOK
($8.50) for adults, or 30NOK ($4.25) for children. On-site is a restaurant with
a museum cafe.
There is no train station at Stiklestad. The nearest depot is at Verdal, lying
6km (3 3 ⁄ 4 miles) away. The train from Trondheim to Verdal takes 1 3 ⁄ 4 hours, cost-
ing 145NOK ($21). At Verdal you can take local bus no. 22; all go within 2km
(1 1 ⁄ 4 miles) of the site, costing 22NOK ($3.10); the trip takes only 15 minutes.
Motorists from Trondheim can reach the center by taking the E6 northeast.