or DRONTHEIM, a fortified seaport town of Norway, capital of the stift or province of the same name, is pleasantly situated on the southern shore of the Trondhjems-ford, at the mouth of the Nid-elf, in Lat. 63. 26. N., Long. 10. 23. E. The houses, though almost all of wood, are substantial, cheerful, with numerous windows, and scrupulously clean; the streets are wide, regular, and well kept. "When we thus," says Professor J. D. Forbes, in describing the approach to this town, "unexpectedly look down upon its orderly streets, clean dwellings, tall warehouses projecting into the bay—upon the neat villas amidst trees and fields of the brightest green, country and town churches, and especially upon its once majestic and still venerable cathedral—it is difficult to believe that we are entering one of the most northern capitals, and one of the least visited towns of Europe which yet possesses evidences of comfort, independence, and self-respect amongst the lower classes, and of intelligence, hospitality, and refinement amongst the upper, which many cities of more pretension might well be proud of." The town is commanded by a series of heights, and is thus incapable of defence on the land side; but seawards it is strongly fortified, having especially the fortress of Munkholm on a small island in the fiord. The principal object of interest in Trondhjem is the cathedral, part of which dates as far back as 1180. It is partly Saxon and partly Gothic, and is 346 feet in length by 84 in width, except at the west end, where, having a chapel at each corner, the width is increased to 140 feet. Having frequently suffered from fires, it has often been restored with little regard to architectural beauty or uniformity; but it still ranks as the finest ecclesiastical edifice in the kingdom, and is the place of coronation of the Norwegian sovereigns. Trondhjem, founded by Olaf in 997, became the capital of Norway, and continued so down to the union of that country with Denmark. The old palace is now converted into an arsenal. There are also three other churches, an hospital, workhouse, deaf-mute asylum, grammar-school, museum, bank, theatre, and public library. Trondhjem carries on an active export trade in dried fish, deals, tar, and copper. Pop. about 13,000.