Munkholmen

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A view from Munkholmen looking to the northeast.

Munkholmen (Norwegian, meaning the monk's islet) is an islet north of Trondheim, Norway in the Trondheimsfjord. The islet has served as a place of execution, a monastery, a fortress, prison, and a World War II anti-aircraft gun station. Today, Munkholmen is a popular tourist attraction and recreation site.

1 Viking years
2 Norway's first monastery
3 Fort and prison
4 Nazi occupation
5 Tourism and recreation
6 References

[edit] Viking years

In the years prior to the founding of Trondheim in 997 by viking king Olav Tryggvason, Munkholmen was used as an execution site by the Earls of Lade. The arrival of Olav Tryggvason to Norway in 995 coincided with a revolt against Haakon Sigurdsson, who was killed by Tormod Kark. The severed heads of both Haakon and Kark were placed on stakes on Munkholmen facing out into the fjord to serve as a warning to visitors. Legend has it that before entering Trondheim, visitors were made to spit on these heads as a tribute to King Olav I of Norway. The tradition of displaying the severed heads of criminals and political opponents was continued for some time, but the heads were now placed so that they faced the city of Trondheim to deter its citizens from committing crimes.

[edit] Norway's first monastery

The Courtyard

In the early 12th century, Benedictine monks used the island as a monastery. Local stories claim the cloister was quite lively and that on several occasions requests came from the mainland to keep the noise down. By the time Lutheran Protestantism came to Trondheim, the monastery had fallen into decay.

[edit] Fort and prison

Construction of a fort on the island began in 1658. When it was completed in 1661, the fort was also used as a state prison for society's rejects. Count Peder Griffenfeld, Munkholmen's most famous prisoner, was transferred from the fortress of Copenhagen in 1671. Griffendeld was kept at Munkholmen for 18 years, after which he was released, having contracted a terminal illness. The fort remained in operation until 1893.

[edit] Nazi occupation

The dank, oft-flooded lower level of Munkholmen's fort.

The Germans invaded and occupied Norway in 1940. After the allied forces pulled out of Trondheim, the Nazis quickly established a submarine base, exploiting the natural protection provided by the fjord. At this time, Munkholmen was fitted with anti-aircraft weaponry. A large portion of the fort was retrofitted to hold ammunition, and the flooring planks were nailed in with wooden nails to prevent explosions caused by soldiers' boots striking metal nails. The Nazis remained in Norway until the end of the war in Europe in 1945. Remnants of the installation still exist in the upper levels of the fort.

[edit] Tourism and recreation

Today, Munkholmen is a popular summertime tourist attraction and hangout for residents of Trondheim. From late May to early September, boats depart from Ravnkloa on a regular basis. Once on the island, visitors can take a guided tour (in English and Norwegian) or roam freely. There's also a small cafe/restaurant available.