When I was at the open-air museum Skansen, I heard a story about mythical creatures. This started me on a series of Swedish monsters. Today, I wrap the series up with one remaining creature – the Troll!

Today – the Troll

The trolls in Scandinavian legend are not the same as the cute shock-haired characters in the animated movies that came out in the late 2010’s. Oh no, they are something altogether more sinister.

According to legend, trolls are described as being extremely old, hairy, very strong, with bulging eyes and large noses. Some are giants and some are dwarves. They are depicted as slow and dim-witted. They are voracious – feared for eating livestock, and children.

However, noticing a troll isn’t always easy. Trolls can actually take the shape of anything, including human beings. Sometimes they have a tail that they hide under their clothes. They reside far away from human habitation but frequently kidnap people and overrun farmsteads and human dwellings.

Living in forests, mountains and caves, trolls are said to fear iron and steel. Placing items made of those materials on your threshold prevents them from entering.

Trolls are also said to turn to stone in the sunlight. Luring them out of their hideaways and into the light is a way to get rid of them. Petrified trolls are associated with stony Scandinavian landmarks such as Trolltungen (troll tongue) Trollstigen (troll path), Trollveggen (troll wall) and Trollberget (troll mountain).

Trolls have been sighted everywhere in Sweden – from Värmland to Småland, Norrland to Skåne. So be careful this summer when you are strolling through the forests of Sweden and Scandinavia!

Illustration: John Bauer