Munkholmen

The island of Munkholmen lies north of Trondheim, Norway. With accounts dating back to the 10th century, A.D., Monkholmen has served as a place of execution, a monastery, a fortress and prison, and a World War II anti-aircraft gun station. Today, Munkholmen is a popular tourist attraction and recreation site.

The Viking Years

In the years prior to the founding of Trondheim in 997 A.D. by Viking King Olav Tryggvason, Munkholmen was primarily used as an execution site used by the earls of Lade. The arrival of Olav Tryggvason to Norway in 995 A.D. coincided with a revolt against Haakon Sigurdsson, who was killed by Tormod Kark. The severed heads of both earl 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 (now) 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 commiting crimes.

Related Topics:
Trondheim - Viking - Olav Tryggvason - Earls of Lade - Haakon Sigurdsson - Fjord - Olav I of Norway

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