If you make a pilgrimage to Trondheim via the St. Olavsleden, you will arrive at the place where everything comes together: Stiklestad. This is where the Viking king Olav fell in battle against the peasant army. After his death, Olav was canonized because miracles were reported that were attributed to him. Pilgrims arriving in Trondheim (the city where Olav is buried) via other pilgrim ways sometimes travel on to Stiklestad, the Finisterre of Norway.
The battle
Olav Harraldson had been a successful king for ten years. Between 1016 and 1028, he had subjugated large parts of Norway to his Christian will and united them. This was accompanied by much violence and coercion, but he also managed to forge a fragmented country, where many Viking clans were constantly at each other's throats, into a whole and to enact a number of laws that still form the basis of current legislation. In 1028, however, Canute the Great of Denmark managed to win over Olav's enemies and increase the pressure to such an extent that Olav fled abroad. In 1030, he returned from exile, determined to reconquer Norway. He landed in Sweden and marched with his assembled troops towards Norway, more or less following what is now the St. Olav's Way. In Stiklestad, he encountered a peasant army. Why Olav headed for Trondheim is unknown, as is why the peasants rebelled against him. The fact is that he died here, according to myth from three wounds: an axe in his leg, a spear in his stomach and an axe or sword in his neck. As he fell, he leaned against a stone and threw his sword away. According to the story, the altar of the church in Stiklestad was placed on that spot. Behind the altar now lies a stone that is claimed to be the stone in question.
Read more about the history of the battle here: Info & tips → History.
The Battle of Stiklestad in an advert for a Norwegian butter brand:
The National Cultural Centre
Today, Stiklestad has grown into a broad cultural park, primarily centred around the theme of Olav. The colourful interior of Olavs Church and the legendary stone located there are definitely worth a visit. There is also a Catholic chapel (1930) and an Orthodox chapel (2013). Olav is the last Western saint to be recognized by the Orthodox Church. Every year around St. Olav's Day (29 July), the open-air theatre is the setting for the popular Olavsspelen festival. Since 1954, a musical costume drama has been performed here annually. The story recounts Olav's stay in Sul on the eve of the Battle of Stiklestad. Olav is staying on the land of a Christian farmer, Torgeir Flekk, but hears about the pagan practices of his wife Gudrun, who left her deformed baby in the forest. She has been consumed by guilt about this her entire life. Olav wants to severely punish the entire community on the farm for this unchristian act. Only when he learns that the farmer himself is a Christian does he get away with a fine. The farmer rewards Olav's leniency by joining his army with his sons. A number of professional actors and an army of volunteers take part in the performance. Stiklestad also offers a broader view of Norwegian heritage, with an open-air museum featuring buildings from the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries and a replica of a Viking longhouse. In addition, accommodation has been built for modern pilgrims. They can spend the night in a Viking-style guesthouse, authentically built with axes and chisels. But those who want a night of luxury can stay in the hotel in the main building. There you will also find exhibitions, a library, a museum shop and a large restaurant.
Finisterre
Some pilgrims travelling to Santiago de Compostela continue on to the coast after their arrival, to Cape Finisterre (the end of the world). This is where Saint James is said to have set foot on land. Stiklestad has the ambition to become the Finisterre of Norway. Pilgrims coming from the south can walk or cycle on to the holy ground of Stiklestad after arriving in Trondheim. The St. Olavspad is therefore signposted in both directions between Trondheim and Stiklestad
