“So close to the heavens!” This might be a visitor’s reaction to the church Tautra Maria upon encountering the glorious view of nature afforded them by the glazed wall behind the altar. The ceiling is transparent as well, and the sun’s rays pass through it; the lively play of light and shadows on the interior is made possible by the lattice-like, wooden structure above. This sanctuary constitutes the core of the monastery erected in 2006 on the small island Tautra in Trondheimsfjord. A few years ago, a group of Trappistine nuns from the USA became attracted to the solitude of the north, in particular to this site near the ruins of a medieval Cistercian abbey. The architectural design of the compound reflects the order’s spiritual tenets, which include contemplative withdrawal, on the one hand, and hospitality and savoir vivre, on the other. A simple rectangle – 82 m long and 29 m wide – topped off with a flat roof encloses the inner workings."