Olavskilden by Hadrian's Plass

Before arriving at the destination of the journey, a stop must be made at the park area Marinen where the Olavskilden. A source located at Hadrian's Plass, a short distance from Nidaros Cathedral.

Hadrian's Square is named after Pope Hadrian IV - who is perhaps better known as Nicolaus Brekespeare. He created, as the Pope's representative, the archbishopric of Nidaros. A monument has been erected to him on the spot, and here Olavskilden is hidden under a high mound of earth.

According to legend, the Viking king Olav Haraldsson fell in the battle of Stiklestad in 1030. The legend says that his body was transported to Nidaros and buried by the riverbank. The following year, his body was exhumed and he was declared a saint. A spring was said to have sprung up from the place where the coffin had been buried. The spring was said to have healing powers, and gained great importance as a place of pilgrimage in the centuries that followed.

pilgrims touching the water from the holy spring