Our Mission
Olaf 2030 is committed to supporting the archaeological recovery of the lost remains of Norway's patron saint, Olaf the Holy.
The remains of St. Olaf were previously held inside an ornate shrine visible to the public in Nidaros cathedral, Trondheim. During the reformation, Danish authorities destroyed his shrine, and St. Olaf's body was later hidden within the cathedral, where he has remained separated from pilgrims, worshippers and the general public since 1568.
2030 will mark 1,000 years since Olaf the Holy died at the Battle of Stiklestad, and we advocate for the recovery of his lost remains on the eve of Norway's National Jubilee.
Our Initiatives
Scholarly Support
Assisting researchers and professionals
Olaf 2030 supports the work of qualified scholars and clergy by fostering public awareness and historical literacy surrounding St. Olaf and his legacy. We advocate for responsible heritage preservation and aim to assist in creating conditions in which professional scholarship may proceed thoughtfully and with broad public support.
Cultural Preservation
Promoting the mindful stewardship of Norway’s spiritual and historical heritage
By promoting public appreciation for the legacy of St. Olaf, we hope to provide an opportunity for qualified professionals to conduct respectful, well-supported research on one of Norway’s most historically and spiritually significant figures, while ensuring the protection of his earthly remains for future generations.
Recovery Project
Advocating for a responsible and reverential recovery of the lost remains of St. Olaf
Through public engagement and measured advocacy, we support the reverential recovery of St. Olaf’s remains, once prominently enshrined but since hidden from visitors for over four centuries. We seek to encourage conditions in which such work may be undertaken mindfully, with due respect for history, faith, and the integrity of Nidaros Cathedral.
In advocating for the recovery of St. Olaf's lost remains, we are guided by the principle that “public outreach and engagement in archaeology should be holistic, meaningful and a primary component of our scientific research design—and this includes all projects, from the beginning.”
— Society for Historical Archaeology
Who was Saint Olaf ?
Olaf Haraldsson II was born around the year 995 in Ringerike, Norway—modern day Buskerud. After spending years abroad, he returned to Norway with the goal of uniting the quarreling land into one unified kingdom. After becoming king in 1015, Olaf established common laws in Norway that protected the most vulnerable. He fell at the Battle of Stiklestad in 1030, and was soon remembered not only as an influential ruler, but as a unifying national figure. His resting place, Nidaros cathedral, continues to draw pilgrims from around the world, and he is now remembered as one of the most consequential kings in Norwegian history and the patron saint of the country.
