Klemenskirken i Trondheim

Klemenskirken in Trondheim (St. Clement's Church) is one of the oldest places of worship in the city and one of the most intriguing archaeological sites in central Trondheim. You will not find a traditional church standing here today. Instead, the preserved remains of a medieval church lie in the basement of a modern building at Søndre gate 7-11, near Peter Egges plass.

What is Klemenskirken?

It is what remains of a medieval church that once stood in Nidaros, the old Trondheim, one of the most important political and religious centres of medieval Norway. The patron saint, Clement, was regarded as protector of sailors, a fitting choice for a harbour town on the Nidelva river.

Who built the first church?

The tradition is not clear-cut. Local history sources connect the first church with King Olav Tryggvason and the founding of the town around 997. Icelandic sagas, however, point instead to Olav Haraldsson, later St. Olav. Archaeological dating of the earliest church to roughly 1010-1024 fits the second account better.

Why does this place matter?

According to the Norwegian encyclopedia SNL, one year and five days after Olav fell at the Battle of Stiklestad, his remains were placed above the high altar of this church. They were later moved to Christ Church, the cathedral, which became the focus of the saint's cult and of pilgrimage to Nidaros. Klemenskirken is therefore a notable link in the story of Norway's most important saint.

The fate of the church

The church burned down in 1344 and was rebuilt. Before 1430, though, it vanishes from written records, and in time people even forgot where it had stood. For centuries its location remained a puzzle for historians.

The archaeological discovery

Excavations in 2016-2017 at Søndre gate 7-11 uncovered the remains of a building. Researchers at NIKU established that it was a stave church that had been rebuilt several times. The ruins were preserved in place in the basement of a contemporary building, which lets modern architecture sit directly above medieval history.

Is the identification certain?

Not entirely. A 2022 article in the journal Primitive Tider notes that the site's status as a national monument came about through a process involving the media, church bodies and the state, and that there is no simple one-to-one link between the excavated material and the monument itself. The identification with St. Clement's Church is therefore still debated.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Klemenskirken? In central Trondheim at Søndre gate 7-11, near Peter Egges plass.

Will I see a working church? No. These are preserved ruins in the basement of a modern building, not an active church.

Is the site connected to St. Olav? Yes. According to SNL, his remains rested here above the high altar for a time before being moved to the cathedral.

When were the remains discovered? During excavations in 2016-2017.

Is it worth a visit? Yes, if you are interested in medieval Norwegian history, the cult of St. Olav or urban archaeology. It pairs well with a visit to nearby Nidaros Cathedral.