Centuries-Old Watchtower Found In Trondheim

Afterposten ^ | 3-13-2007 | Cato Guhnfeldt

[blam]

Centuries-old watchtower found in Trondheim

Archaeologists in Trondheim have found the remains of what they believe was a watchtower made of stone, probably dating from the time of King Sverre in the 1100s.

Here's a drawing of the tower believed to have been at least five stories tall.

Archaeologist Ian Reed says the tower's floor is in good shape.

The tower was located near the mouth of the river Nidelv, at lower left.

The tower, which may have been more than 20 meters high, is being called an "incredibly rare discovery" that can shed new light on Trondheim's history.

Preservation experts believe the tower ruins will be a new attraction in the city that's famed for its landmark Nidaros Cathedral. It's only the second non-church-related stone structure found from the early Middle Ages in Trondheim.

The tower is mentioned in a saga written in connection with a massacre in the city in 1206. It was discovered under two buildings that were about to be torn down to make way for a new hotel.

The portion that probably was the tower's first floor was being used as a vaulted cellar under the buildings. Sissel Skoglund of the state Office of Historic Monuments' Trondheim chapter (Riksantikvaren) said it's subject to automatic preservation but may be incorporated into the hotel. Discussions were set to begin with the hotel's developer, Entra Eiendom.

Archaeologist Ian Reed said the tower was located close to the mouth of the river Nidelven, with a view over the fjord. Its floor is in excellent condition and he and his colleagues have also found the sides of the tower's lower walls, which are about a meter-and-a-half thick.

Reed believes the tower was torn down in the late 1600s because residents needed its stone blocks for foundations for new homes built after a major fire, or for repairs to Nidaros Cathedral.

[blam]

GGG Ping.

[Smokin' Joe]

Neat! Thanks for the post!

[carolinalivin]

From the names, I assume we're talking about Norway or Minn.

[Jedi Master Pikachu]

"Archaeologist Ian Reed said the tower was located close to the mouth of the river Nidelven, with a view over the fjord."

They seem to have situated the watchtower in a strategic place, at a point of entry at a high elevation.

[blam]

"From the names, I assume we're talking about Norway or Minn."

Trondheim, Norway

[decal]

One's memory may be faulty - don't you have the Norway ping list?

[carolinalivin]

Thanx. I really appreciate your posts, but I think you should automatically give the region or country. Many are like me and don't knwow much but the capital cities.

[blam]

"I think you should automatically give the region or country. Many are like me and don't knwow much but the capital cities."

Thanks for reminding me why I'm no longer married and never will be again.

[Bobibutu]

My Grandmothers home town - thanks for posting.

[carolinalivin]

Thanx for your sarcastic response to my request. I guess you post here to be left alone, so I can begin now.

[aomagrat]

Centuries-Old Watchtower Found In Trondheim

Have the Jehovah's Witnesses been around that long?

[1rudeboy]

And from the dates, you can narrow it down even farther. :)

[Young Werther]

Been there...UfDah!

[JB in Whitefish]

So, Jimi Hendrix was originally from Norway....???

What abuot Bob Dylan....????

[crabpott]

Been there. More than once. In December. Hundred miles north of the Arctic circle. Cold. Dark. Asked an old timer there once what he thought the most famous thing about his city was and after carefull consideration replied "Clark Gable bombed us during WWII".

[crabpott]

Been there. More than once. In December. Hundred miles north of the Arctic circle. Cold. Dark. Asked an old timer there once what he thought the most famous thing about his city was and after carefull consideration replied "Clark Gable bombed us during WWII".

[crabpott]

Been there. More than once. In December. Hundred miles north of the Arctic circle. Cold. Dark. Asked an old timer there once what he thought the most famous thing about his city was and after carefull consideration replied "Clark Gable bombed us during WWII".

[SunkenCiv]

Ordinarily I don't ping to Middle Ages topic, but hey, when I saw this was about Trondheim... ;')

Thanks Blam.

To all -- please ping me to other topics which are appropriate for the GGG list. Thanks.

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[skeptoid]

Blam, you did a superb job of answering her question with the perfect map and the Trondheim link. Taking the extra time to provide such elucidation was most thoughtful on your part. It was a lesson then, to all whose labors are unappreciated and whose good deeds never seem to go unpunished, when you responded to a totally undeserved and gratuitous criticism without any detectable trace of malice. You turned away wrath with a quiet word of explanation, and by merely thanking your attacker for reaffirming a decision you had made in the past, you deftly averted a potentially nonproductive exchange of terse and uncomplimentary words.

I just hope she doesn't take it out on her poor husband tonight.