How would the iconic façade of Nidaros Cathedral look with red, blue, or green doors? Or with doors made of glass or metal? Nidaros Cathedral’s iconic West Front is getting new doors. This summer, the public can visit an outdoor exhibition featuring 11 different proposals for the new doors.
On June 28, an outdoor exhibition will open on the West Front Square in front of Nidaros Cathedral. Here, 11 different proposals for new doors for Nidaros Cathedral will be presented. These proposals come from 11 different artists and artist groups, representing a wide range of styles, forms, and materials.
The current doors in the portals on the cathedral’s west front date back to 1930. They were created as a temporary solution for the 900th anniversary of Saint Olav's death. The construction is simple and was intended to meet the needs for a short period until the nave was completed. These temporary doors have remained in place for nearly 100 years.
Last year, Nidaros Cathedral Restoration Workshop invited artists to participate in a competition, and a total of 95 artists expressed their interest. A jury selected 11 artists and artist groups to develop ideas for the design of the new doors. These 11 selected artists have submitted their proposals, which are now on display in front of the West Front of Nidaros Cathedral this summer. In August, the jury will select three proposals for further development, where the artists will work closely with the craftsmen at the cathedral’s workshop. The winning proposal will be announced in January 2025.
Practical Information
- The exhibition runs from June 28 to mid-August.
- NB. During the Olavsfest from July 28 to July 3, the exhibition will be temporarily moved from the West Front Square to another nearby area.