In a country so far north that half of it is above the Arctic circle, the fall and winter nights are long and dark, leaving ghost stories and spooky legends to become a big part of the local history and folklore in Norway. Here, even the beautiful northern lights have always been the object of intrigue and fascination.

 

Some thought it them dangerous and alerted danger, while others thought it was the souls of dead virgins floating across the night sky. In Norse Mythology it’s called the Bifrost Bridge, or the rainbow bridge to Asgard. Winter is a mysterious yet magical time in this part of the world. 

 

According to folklore and legends, the Norwegian mountains and forests are riddled by trolls and other mysterious creatures. These aren’t necessarily mean, but they do look rather scary and have frightened people for centuries. The idea of trolls comes from old Norse Mythology and is inspired by jotuner – the main enemies of the Gods.

 

These creatures were giants, and in the central parts of southern Norway where the biggest mountains of Northern Europe are located, lies the national park of Jotunheimen -the name meaning ‘home of the giants’. If you want to see more of this area or pick up some information about trolls, check out the cool Norwegian mockumentary The Troll Hunter (2010). 

 

Haunted Places in Norway

 

Haunted places in Norway
by Hans Petter Fjeld

 

Akershus Fortress in Oslo

 

This old royal fortress from the middle ages lies in Oslo and supposedly is one of the places in Norway with the highest level of ghost activity. A lot of people were imprisoned and executed here. The staff says they’ve heard whisperings in the dark corridors and have had strange forces pushing them in the back. People also tell of screams and sounds of the rattling of chains in the night. Some have even seen guards standing on post – but disappearing into thin air a second later. Would you dare walk around the fort in the middle of the dark night? I sure wouldn’t. Click here to learn more.