Stiklestad

Stiklestad is a historic site in Verdal municipality, Trøndelag county, Norway. It is best known as the location of the Battle of Stiklestad in 1030, where King Olaf II Haraldsson was killed during conflict surrounding the governance of Norway. Olaf was later canonized as Saint Olaf, a central figure in Norwegian Christianization and national identity. The battle is commonly regarded as a turning point in the formation of a unified Norwegian kingdom, though the dynastic and religious consolidation unfolded over subsequent decades.

Today, Stiklestad hosts the Stiklestad National Culture Centre, established to preserve the landscape and tell the story of Norway’s early medieval period. The centre houses exhibitions on Viking and medieval history, art, and literature, and presents performances and educational programs. The surrounding cultural landscape includes monuments and preserved historical sites connected with the old Norse and medieval religious heritage. The site is a major center for cultural tourism in the region and hosts events and programs that explore Norwegian history and cultural heritage.