Nidaros Cathedral, situated in Trondheim, Norway, is renowned for its historical significance and intriguing paranormal history. The cathedral has played a central role in Norway’s religious and cultural life for centuries.
Nidaros Cathedral was constructed in 1070 as the final resting place of King Olaf II of Norway, who was killed in 1030 in the Battle of Stiklestad. King Olaf was canonised as Saint Olaf a year later by the bishop of Nidaros, a title later confirmed by the pope. It was designated the cathedral of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Nidaros from its establishment in 1152 until its abolition in 1537 under the Reformation. Since then, Nidaros Cathedral has served as the cathedral of the Lutheran bishops of Trondheim in the Diocese of Nidaros. It is also a site of national importance, as it is where King Harald and Queen Sonja were consecrated in 1991, following a tradition introduced by King Olav in 1958.
One of the most notable paranormal phenomena associated with Nidaros Cathedral is the haunting by a ghost known as the “Bloody Monk.” The first documented sighting of the Bloody Monk was by Marie Gieditsch, the wife of a bishop, during a church service in January 1924. She described the apparition as a medieval monk with a tonsure and a monk’s robe, featuring sad bright blue eyes. The monk was seen walking through one of the choir members and then attempting to choke the priest by placing his hands around the priest’s throat. Others in the church witnessed the monk’s hands encircling the priest’s neck but did not see the rest of the apparition. Marie also observed a bloody stripe on the monk’s throat, which seemed to be dripping blood. Despite the gruesome appearance, she noted that the monk was young and handsome.
In 1933, Bishop Alex Jonson reportedly saw the same figure in the cathedral. Over the years, further witnesses have reported seeing the Bloody Monk in various parts of the cathedral, including smaller chapels and outside near the cemetery. Some claim that the monk’s hands reach out to choke people he disapproves of, while others have even reported conversing with him. The monk’s presence is often accompanied by inexplicable chanting and organ music heard late at night within the cathedral. The chanting is described as haunting and ethereal, while the organ music seems to play itself, even when no one is present to operate the instrument.
Many visitors to Nidaros Cathedral report sensing the presence of the ghostly monk, even if they do not see him. This can manifest as a feeling of unease, a chill in the air, or an inexplicable sense of being watched. Some have reported hearing faint whispers or footsteps when they are alone in the cathedral.
In addition to the Bloody Monk, Nidaros Cathedral is home to another mysterious phenomenon. In a small basement room, which was once used as a tomb for prominent figures from Trondheim, fresh rose petals mysteriously appear on the floor every week. The entrance to this room is always locked, yet the wilted petals disappear, and new ones appear without explanation. This ritual, which seems to occur without human intervention, has been observed for many years, with no clear explanation as to who or what might be responsible.
The legend of the Bloody Monk and the mysterious rose petals contribute to Nidaros Cathedral’s reputation as a place of paranormal intrigue. Despite the lack of historical evidence linking the cathedral to any order of monks, the legend of the Bloody Monk persists, captivating the imagination of all who hear his story.
Theories about the monk’s identity and purpose vary widely, with some speculating that he may have been a real person who met a tragic end within the cathedral walls, while others propose that he could be a manifestation of collective guilt or a symbol of the darker aspects of human nature. Regardless of the truth behind these theories, the Bloody Monk remains a fascinating aspect of this beautiful and historic haunted location.
