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Stiftsgården

Stiftsgården is one of the largest wooden buildings in Scandinavia. It has been His Majesty The King's official residence in Trondheim since 1906.

The Throne Room. Photo: Freia Beer, Nordenfjeldske Kunstindustrimuseum.

Stiftsgården has been at the centre of numerous major events, including four coronations and two consecrations in Nidaros Cathedral. On those occasions, solemn processions made their way from Stiftsgården to the cathedral – and back again once the ceremonies were over. It was on the occasion of the coronation of King Haakon VII and Queen Maud in 1906 that the palace was granted its status as an official royal residence.

Their Majesties King Harald and Queen Sonja hosted a grand celebration here for their 60th birthdays, and Princess Märtha Louise celebrated her wedding here in 2002. The 100th anniversary of the 1906 coronation was duly marked in the halls of Stiftsgården, and when the King and Queen celebrated 25 years as Norway’s monarchs, they hosted a garden party here.

Stiftsgården serves as the residence of the Royal Family when they are in Trondheim, and in the autumn of 2024, Prince Sverre Magnus stayed here.

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands visited Stiftsgården during their state visit to Norway in 2021. Photo: Sven Gj. Gjeruldsen, The Royal Court
Meeting the press in the garden at Stiftsgården for the centenary of the coronation of King Haakon VII and Queen Maud in 2006. Photo: Stian Lysberg Solum / NTB
The Royal Family applauds the children's choir singing outside Stiftsgården on the occasion of the King and Queen's consecration in 1991. Photo: Per Løchen / NTB

History and architecture

Stiftsgården was built as a residence for the widowed Lady Privy Councillor Cecilie Christine Schøller between 1774 and 1778. As one of the city’s most prominent citizens, it was important that her home had a location and scale that indicated the family’s wealth and influential position. The opulent building was erected on the city’s main ceremonial street and contained more than 100 rooms.

Cecilie Christine von Schøller. Photo: Nordenfjeldske Kunstindustrimuseum

Facts about Stiftsgården

Facts & Figures

  • Built as a private home for Mrs Cecilie Christine Schøller
  • Constructed between 1774 and 1778
  • One of the largest wooden buildings in Scandinavia
  • More than 100 rooms
  • Approximately 4 000 m2
  • Official Royal residence since 1906

Owned by the state and managed by the Directorate of Public Construction and Property, the building is at the disposal of the King.

Important example

Stiftsgården is one of the best examples of Norwegian architecture. The style reflects the transition from Rococo to Neo-Classicism; the facade has the simple, disciplined lines of Neo-Classicism, and the details are Rococo. The building consists of a main wing and two side wings, and is built of notched logs clad in weatherboarding. The interior reflects the redecorations carried out for the coronations during the 19th century and in 1906.

The palace looks onto the Rococo garden.

Stiftsgården in Trondheim. Photo: Freia Beer, Nordenfjeldske Kunstindustrimuseum
Photo: Gorm Kallestad, NTB
The Queen's salon. Photo: Freia Beer, Nordenfjeldske Kunstindustrimuseum
The King's office. Photo: Freia Beer, Nordenfjeldske Kunstindustrimuseum
The Chinese Cabinet. Photo: Freia Beer, Nordenfjeldske Kunstindustrimuseum
The garden fasade. Photo: Freia Beer, Nordenfjeldske Kunstindustrimuseum
Photo: Freia Beer, Nordenfjeldske Kunstindustrimuseum
Photo: Ole Martin Wold / NTB

Guided tours

Stiftsgården is open to vistors druing the summer months. Please find more information at Stiftsgården - Nordenfjeldske Kunstindustrimuseum