Olav the Holy

People began to regard the king as holy and a year later they convinced the bishop to open the tomb. The king looked as if he had slept, his hair and nails had grown, his skin was healthy and a wonderful fragrance rose from the coffin. The king was declared a martyr and saint in the year 1031. The relics were placed in the church and pilgrimages to the holy king began immediately.

In 1153, the archbishopric/church province of Nidaros was established by the Pope, and Archbishop Øystein immediately began building the majestic cathedral in Trondheim, Nidaros Cathedral. Archbishop Øystein had studied in France and England and had a good knowledge of European cathedral architecture. He brought with him both knowledge and stonemasons to Trondheim.

Archbishop Øystein was also important for the veneration of Olav. He wrote the book about Saint Olav's suffering and miracles "Passio et miracula beati Olavi". This book was spread and copied all over Northern Europe and we can still find some copies in libraries in Douai in France and Oxford in England, among others.