10 Things to do in Nord-Trøndelag That You Shouldn't Miss

Norveg - part of the Coast Museum in Nord-Trondelag Welcome to a different and engaging cultural experience, a center of culture and coastal industry. Norveg presents the emergence of Norwegian fishing communities, fishermen technology and biological basis from prehistoric times to the present day. Norveg located in a vibrant port area, framed by the beautiful surroundings, where you can enjoy views over the sea and observe the ships and coastal activities through Nærøysundet. We also have tourist information, museum shop and conference room as well as cafe and restaurant in the same building. The building has a distinctive architecture, designed as a sailing ship - a great photo subject.

European Highway E6 takes you to the capital of Nord-Trondelag County, Steinkjer, from where you can continue along the Coastal Highway (Kystriksveien) to Bodo. The Steinkjer and Egge region was once an important seat of power in Norway and the municipality has many interesting heritage sites and other historical attractions. Perhaps the best known of these are the impressive rock carvings near Bola, including the 6,000-year-old Bola reindeer. If you're looking for adventure and activity, Steinkjer can offer deep underground caverns, a wilderness camp, and good walking and cycling tours. There are also 60 freshwater fishing lakes from which to choose.

Kystriksveien is the Coastal Road of Northern Norway, a 650 km long road from Steinkjer to Bodø. Travel slow along Kystriksveien and make sure to include a visit to the many islands. Cycling, biking and kayaking are popular activities that you might want to explore. Visit our Kystriksveien Info-Center in Steinkjer. We know this road and can provide you with the right maps, brochures and books.

Hegra Fortress was finished in 1910, an was build as a result of the end of Norways union with Sweden in 1905. The fortress was intended to stop a swedish invasion through the walley of Stjørdal. The fortress is most known for its effort during the german invasion in Norway in spring 1940. Major Holtermann and his men held the fortress without surrending for 25 days, until the southern parts of Norway capitulated. Today the fortress is open during the summer season, with a museum and a restaurant, and it is possible to wander around the whole fortress and the beautiful surroundings.

The oldest building in Stjordal is also the most stately one. In the whole of Norway there is hardly another building of the same age that still is in use. When the foundation stone was laid, the Norwegian Viking Era was still in full bloom. More than 400 years were to pass before Martin Luther started his Reformation. The French Revolution was almost 700 years into the future. The Church of Vaernes bears witness to old greatness in the Stjordal valley. The mighty chalk-white walls testify to an affluent society and to people with power and go-ahead spirit. In a cultural and historical perspective the church is a treasure. It was nearly started at the same time as the Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim, which is the greatest Christian building in Norway. The Church of Vaernes is a time machine. Under the high roofs the centuries have written their autographs. Pictures of gods and devil´s masks fight ruthlessly about the hegemony in the human soul. The dramaturgy of the Middle Age comes alive in the life- or death battle that unfolds before our eyes on the church walls. If you lift your eyes even further, towards the roof-truss, you can see the last millennium face to face. Nowhere else in the country you will have such an opportunity to admire the art of carpentry as it was displayed nearly 900 years ago. This is one of the reasons why the Church of Vaernes is a familiar name in antiquarian circles on the whole continent. The wooden ceiling is the original from the 12th century, and the only one still in existence. It has a span of more than 11 meters and has been the inspiration for reconstructions of roofs in other medieval buildings in Norway (the Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim and Hakonshallen in Bergen). The Church of Vaernes is a cultural treasure, perhaps because the majestic church building gives us a close contact with the mysticism and sentiment of the past. Many people come here to contemplate about the mysteries of life – great and small. The thoughts wander among the beams under the roof, casting curious glances at the “Vaernes Chair”, made in 1685 as the private pew for the squire of Vaernes (General Schultz and his wife). This chair shows us a mastery in wood carving that amazes everyone with its perfectionism and richness in details. Fine wall paintings, stone figures and runic inscriptions are also found in the church. The church is situated 2 km southeast of Stjordal, close to Stjordal museum Vaernes. Guided tours 2011: June 21st to August 14th 11 – 16. Sunday 12 – 16. Monday closed. Starts in the museum. Guided tours are available for groups on request all year round. Please contact Stjordal museum Vaernes.

The building from 1921 was originally a school home for “difficult” boys. During World War 2 the nazis seized the property as a prison camp. The SS Strafgefangenenlager Falstad was the only camp in Norway directly under SS commando. More than 4.200 people from 15 nations were imprisonated here during the war, and around 200 were executed in the Falstad forest close by. Today Falstad is a war memorial, a human rights centre and a education and research centre. There are several exhibitions open for the audience, and we also offer hotel and conference service.

Traces of lives lived People have lived their lifes at Egge for thousands of years, and on the Egge Museum premises we can see numerous traces of these lives. Burial mounds and rock formations from various eras are prominent in the landscape, and in their own way these features silently tell the story of those that came before us. When you visit Egge museum, the stories come alive, and you are taken back to the Iron Age, to the Egge chieftain residence, to the cotter’s home, to the Steinkjer city of old, or whatever point in history you could imagine. Here you can also rest your back against an old log wall, have a cup of coffee, and take a journey through your own history. Whatever your motivation: Welcome! We will take good care of you! The chieftains’ seat at Egge Atop Eggevammen, with a view of the fjord, lies Eggetunet – where some of the most powerful chieftains of the Viking Era resided. Trond Haka, Olve and Kalv Arnesson are familiar names from the Viking sagas, and Kalv was among those leading the peasant army facing Olav Haraldsson at the Battle of Stikestad in 1030. Many will also be familiar with Sigrid. As the wife of Olve, and later Kalv Arnesson, she spent many years as the mistress of the house at Egge. The Egge Viking Festival It is in this very historic site at Eggetunet that the Viking Festival at Egge takes place every second year, the second weekend of July. This is a colourful festival with experiences and events for the entire family. Events include a historical marked, battle scenes, jugglers, music, an evening feast, a play and activity area for children called Leikarvollen, and the family theatre Silkeskjegg, Silk Beard. The next Egge Viking Festival is held 7.-9. of July 2017. Open- air museum In the courtyard at the open- air museum, you’ll meet the maid or the farm hand. They can tell you many stories of the houses here, and life on a Trønder farm towards the end of 19th century. Children and adults alike can hear the story of why there are small chips of wood inserted in the walls of the pillared store house, and afterwards you can go over and pet the sheep or some of the other animals on the museum grounds. After jumping in the hay for a while, maybe you’ll fancy some freshly- made waffels? Agricultural Museum Egge Museum has the largest collection of agricultural artefacts north of Dovre, and in the exhibition hall you can see agricultural machinery from several stages in history. Here, you can also take a look at the Vivinius, one of the first cars to arrive in our region. This car once belonged to Otto Schultz of Egge Estate. The old bus is also parked here, and sometimes takes passengers on a tour of the premises. Steinkjer – portraits of a city In the exhibition hall of the open-air museum, you’ll find the exhibition “Steinkjer – portraits of a City”. Here you can see pictures and artefacts from the Steinkjer of days gone by, and walk down a shopping street as it may have appeared in Steinkjer in the time between World Wars I and II. The shop maiden has sweet candy for sale at the grocer’s, and she knows all sorts of things about the people around town. For example, if you are curious about the outcome of Apothecary Nannestad’s project to build an apartment for his chickens, she is the person to ask! At the Little General Store the children are in charge. Here, you’ll find large paper money and shelves filled with old tins and boxes, and a small wood- burning stove to prepare coffee for thirsty customers. Put on an apron and let the trading begin! Living history at Egge! At the outdoor museum, among old houses from the 19th century, horses, pigs and sheep are waiting to be cuddled with. Every Sunday, there is a living museum with traditional activities. Great recreational area, in the Woods and among ancient graves and at Egge Farm. Opening hours 2017: 18. juny-13. august 10-16 every day. Admission: Aults 70,- Children free. (Special arrangements have other prices)

Koppera Industry-museum presents Merakers long history linked to industry and mining. The museum is housed in a disused power station from 1915 with beautiful natural surroundings. The focus is on Koppera smelters and Koppera that industrial community.