Things to do in Stjordal Municipality, Central Norway: The Best Sights & Landmarks

Ersgard is a 250 year old farm located in the countryside of Stjordal, just 5 km from Trondheim Airport. Ersgard is a perfect place for small conferences, meetings, meals and accommodation. Ersgard is also nice for vacation. Single and double beds available all year round. Common livingroom, kitchen, toilet and bathroom. You can combine a day trip to the city of Trondheim with salmon fishing and a visit in our farm shop the day after. The farm has 3 river stretches (beats) in the Stjordal River for salmon fishing. 900 metres on the south side of the river in total.

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.

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.

Due to its name, Hell Station has become a tourist attraction. The station's freight building still bears the old sign saying Hell Gods-Expedition. In Norwegian, Gods-Expedition (archaic) or godsekspedisjon (modern) means freight service or cargo handling.[5] This sign is a popular photo opportunity for foreign tourists, and especially in the summer months, it is not unusual that foreigners, when discovering the sign, evacuate the train in order to get a photo. Whilst associated with the religious concept Hell by English-speakers, the name Hell derives from Old Norse hellir, which means cave. The Norwegian equivalent to English hell is hel or, more commonly, helvete (compare with Old English hellewīte).