Ilaparken

Ilaparken is a city park in the Ila district of Trondheim, Norway, laid out on the former Ilevollen fields. A green space with roots in the Middle Ages, it pairs a quiet stroll under the trees with a monument to one of Norway's best-known medieval kings.

What should visitors know about Ilaparken?

The park is public greenery within Trondheim municipality. It was laid out in 1891 and finished in time for the city's 900th anniversary celebrations in 1897. The push to plant the area began in 1886, led by Johan Christopher Brun, a pharmacist at the Svaneapoteket pharmacy.

What was here before the park?

The land was known as Ilevollen. In 1180 it was the scene of a battle in which King Sverre defeated Magnus Erlingsson. Until 1882 the field also served as a military drill ground. Nearby stands the hill Galgeberget, once used as an execution site, where the last execution took place in 1807.

What is there to see?

At the eastern end of the park stands a bronze sculpture of King Sverre titled "Mannen fra utskjæret" ("The Man from the Skerry"), made by sculptor Sivert Donali. A memorial stone stands on the western side. Together they keep the history of the place visible.

What is the Ila district like?

Ila was originally part of Bymarka, and its first buildings date from the early 1700s. In the 1800s it was Trondheim's entertainment quarter, home to the Hjorten revue and variety theatre and several dance halls. The park sits in a neighbourhood with a lively urban past.

Who is the visit for?

Ilaparken suits anyone who wants a short break among greenery combined with a taste of Norwegian history. It makes a good stop while exploring Trondheim, especially for those interested in the saga of King Sverre and the city's early story.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Ilaparken? In the Ila district of Trondheim, Norway.

When was the park created? It was laid out in 1891 and completed for the city's 900th jubilee in 1897.

Who started the project? Pharmacist Johan Christopher Brun, who in 1886 took the initiative to have the area planted as a park.

What monument stands there? A bronze sculpture of King Sverre, "Mannen fra utskjæret", by Sivert Donali, at the park's eastern end.

What happened here in 1180? King Sverre defeated Magnus Erlingsson in a battle on the Ilevollen fields.

Was the area once a military site? Yes, until 1882 Ilevollen was also used as a drill ground.