Welcome to the breathtaking Trollholmsund, where mythical creatures and legends come to life! Let’s go with our thoughts for a moment in the story… Here at night, you will find the trolls who according to ancient Sami legend, must disappear before the sun rises or they will turn to stone. And believe me, you don’t want to make these trolls angry! Fortunately, I was lucky enough to take a family photo of them while they were too late to cross the fjord and were forced to stay on the coast.
But it’s not just the trolls that are worth seeing here. Trollholmsund is also famous for its white dolomite rocks that were formed 700 million years ago by calcareous algae and the erosive power of the sea. It is a natural phenomenon that stimulates the imagination, and if you let your imagination run wild, you can see the most mythical creatures here! Over time, the dolomite has split and taken on the most bizarre and fantastic shapes.
But let’s also talk about the surroundings of Trollholmsund. Porsangerfjord is a huge area of 4,645.9 km² with only 4,000 inhabitants, which means there is only one inhabitant per square kilometer. Now that’s social distancing! But for some teenagers, it can be challenging to bike to the pharmacy and then drive through the mountains to see their girlfriend. Fortunately, this only adds to the charm of this remote place. (And let’s be honest, in a certain direction, the teenagers will always pedaling faster …..😂)
It is unlikely that the population growth here will increase exponentially in the coming years, but who knows what the future holds! For now, we can enjoy the peace and beauty of Trollholmsund, where the trolls will always fascinate and enchant us.
According to Sami legend, the creatures known as Stallos are spirits that have the appearance of a giant or a troll. These creatures were seen as powerful, but sometimes also dangerous. The story of the stone trolls of Trollholmsund is based on the legend of a group of Stallos who wanted to cross the fjord but were too late and had to shelter from the rising sun. They were not fast enough and turned into dolomite rocks.
Although the story of the stone trolls is just one variant of an older and more extensive mythological system, it is fascinating how these stories still inspire and capture people’s imaginations. Unfortunately, many of the old Sami legends and myths have been lost or changed over time. However, Sami culture still has many stories about Stallos, which were often depicted as giant beings with supernatural powers and were seen as protectors of the natural world.
It is important to continue telling these ancient stories because they reflect the culture and history of the Sami and give us insight into how people in the past understood the world around them.
A Deep dive into Trollholmsund and its surroundings:
The Trollholmsund Nature Reserve is located on the Porsanger Fjord in the northernmost part of Norway, in the Finnmark province. The reserve covers an area of approximately 3 km² and is surrounded by mountains and valleys overlooking the Barents Sea.
The surroundings of Trollholmsund offer a spectacular landscape of rugged coastlines, clear lakes, deep fjords, and high mountains. It is a beautiful area for hiking, fishing, kayaking, and mountain biking. There are also various organized tours available where you can discover the local flora and fauna.
Trollholmsund, where you can find the trolls, is actually located on Indre Billefjod and lies in the Barents Sea, which is one of the most northern seas in the world and known for its rugged and unpredictable weather. In winter, it is very cold and dark, while summer is mild and light, with long days where the sun never completely sets. This creates a unique ecosystem with a great variety of plants and animals.