viking Archives - Soldrøm

Norse Mythology -The Nine Worlds of the Universe

15/02/2018

The Nine Worlds -Origin

In Norse Mythology, the vikings believed there were nine Worlds in the Universe. The Universe was a huge tree named Yggdrasil, and the different Worlds were in the trees roots and branches of this tree.

Photo: Pixabay

Each World was the home of different creatures and beeings, the most famous ones are Asgard -The home of the gods and goddessess and Midgard the home of humans.

ALSO READ: The History and Mythology of the Norse Barbarians

The Nine Worlds that made the Norse Universe:

Photo: Soldrom

The Upper Worlds

Asgard -The World of the Gods

Asgard is the home of the gods (Aesir) and goddesses (Asynjur). In Asgard the ruler is the god Odin. Inside the gates of Asgard is Valhalla. Valhalla was the place the vikings believed to go in the afterlife.

To be worthy of entering Valhalla you had to die in battle, those who didn’t go to Valhalla, went to Folkvangr.

Vanaheim -The World of Vanir

The Vanir gods are ancient gods, and masters of sorcery and magic. They can predict the future. Nobody really knows where this World is located on the Yggdrasil.

When the war between Vanaheim and Asgard ended, the god Njord, with his children Freya and Freyr moved to Asgard.

Alfheim -The World of the Light Elves

Alfheim is in the heaven, close to Asgard. The light elves are beautiful and minor gods of nature and fertility.

Photo: Pixabay

The light elves are considered guardian angels, and they often help the humans with their knowledge and magical powers. They many times gave inspiration through art and music

The Middle Worlds

Midgard -The World of Humans

Midgard means «middle earth», and was found in the middle on the Yggdrasil. Midgard is below Asgard, and they are connected by the rainbow bridge –Bifrost.

Photo: Pixabay

The human World is surrounded by a huge ocean, and in this ocean you’ll find the sea creature -The Midgard Serpent. This serpent encirceled Midgard, biting it’s own tail.

Jotunheimen -The World of Giants

Jotuns, also enemies of Asgard, were giants and the World was made by the corpse of the first giant –Ymir. Jotunheimen is mostly rocks and mountains.

Photo: Pixabay

There is a love-hate relationship between Asgard and Jotunheimen. The god Loki was originally from Jotunheimen but lived with the gods in Asgard. Mimir’s well of wisdom is to be found in this World.

Svartalfheimen -The World of the Dwarves

Svartalfheimen is the home of the dwarves, that lived under rocks and underground. Hreidmar is the king of this World.

The dwarves were masters of craftmanship, Thor’s magical hammer Mjolne, is a great example of this.

ALSO READ: Top Viking Attractions in Scandinavia

The Lower Worlds

Niflheim -The World of Mist

This is the coldest and darkest World, full of ice and mist. This World was also the first one, also called the land of the dead, and it’s placed in North.

The eldest of the three wells -the Hvergelmir, is located in Niflheim and protected by a huge dragon named Nidhug. Yggdrasil stretched one of the roots into this World and drew water from this well.

Muspelheim -The World of Fire

This World was created in South, and is a burning, hot World. Filled with lava, flames and soot, it’s said to be the home of the fire giants and demons.

Photo: Pixabay

The ruler of Muspelheim is the giant Sutr, he is an enemy of the Aesir and will attcack Asgard when Ragnarok starts. Asgard will then turn to an inferno.

Helheim -The World of the Dead

This was the home of the dishonorable dead. Thieves, murderers and those not worthy of Valhalla or Folkvangr, came to Helheim. This World is rules by the evil goddess Hel.

Helheim is a dark, cold and unhappy place. When Ragnarok comes, Hel will use all the dead to attack Asgard, and be the end of the Worlds.

These are the nine worlds of Norse Cosmic.

Photo by: Pixabay

Top Viking Attractions in Scandinavia

05/02/2018

6 Beautiful Viking Attractions

Love vikings and want to experience more of the vikings attractions? Their are many, many places in Scandinavia that offers amazing vikings attractions.

The Viking Museum and habour in Roskilde

These are just some of my favourites, but there are also many I still haven’t been to, so new favourites might come soon.

Most of this places have viking markets and festiva during the summer, so I would really recommend you go in summer, and remember to check out the websites for more details and program.

1. The Museum of Foteviken -Sweden

This viking town is an archaeological open-air museum, and is located by the Höllviken beach. In fact it’s the only reconstructed Viking town in the World.

Faximile of the museums website

See viking and how they lived for over a thousand years ago. This area was also one of the biggest trading sites in the viking period. It’s also said that Harald Bluetooth established a habrour here for his war fleet.

In the museum you can buy everything from books to replica objetcs.

2. Runriket in Stockholm -Sweden

It’s in the Stockholm region they have the highest density of runestones in the World. Runriket gives you tour in the are around Vallentuna lake.

Photo: Pixabay

Runriket is located at Jarlabankes bro with an information centre, outdoor exhibition, experience park and a reconstruction of the Viking Age monument.

3. Trelleborg -Denmark

This is one of 3 round fortresses in Denmark. It’s reconstructed on the original site, it’s free entrance and actually is a site experimental archaeology.

Photo by: The National Museum of Denmark

It in Slagelse, which is not far from where I was born in Denmark, and really close to where my dad and stepmother lives.

The fortress was built by the king, Harald Bluetooth in ca. 980.

It’s only opened from spring to autumn, but I would always recommend this places in summer.

Visit their website here

4. Ribe -Denmark

In Ribe they have reconstructed viking life the oldest town in Denmark, and one of the oldest viking towns in Scandinavia.

Take the animated tour of Ribe and how it all began on their website

In ribe you can experience authentic viking environment and history. You’ll see a viking ship at the docks and feel how this centre brings alive the glory of the Viking age.

You’ll meet craftsmen and traders, there is also an international viking market in Ribe.

Visit their website here

5. Borre -Norway

Midgard historical centre in Borre is locacted in Vestfold, one of the counties with much burial findings from the Viking age.

Oseberg was one of the findings from this area.

Borre has one of the Northern Europe’s largest assembly of monumental grave mounds. Next to the mounds you’ll find a museum, and The Viking Hall. This hall is absolutely spectacular and beautiful.

The hall is a unique reconstruction of a great mead hall like the ones in the Viking age.

Visit their website here

6. The Viking Museum in Oslo -Norway

The Viking Ship Museum in Oslo has one of the World’s best preserved Viking ships and findings from viking tombs.

The Oseberg Ship

The adventure film “The Vikings Alive” is screened all day on the ceilings and walls inside of the museum.

There are three big ships, Tune, Gokstad and the most famous of them all -Oseberg.

Nebbursvollen Viking Market -Meet your inner viking

04/09/2017

Welcome to Nebbursvollen Viking Market

Imagine my suprise when I found Nebbursvollen Viking Market. Not only is it a 10 minute drive from where I live, at was much better than expected! Now it’s officially autumn and most of the Viking markets and Medieval fairs are now over for 2017, so lucky me finding this market.

The entrance to Nebbursvollen

There are many markets of this kind in Scandinavia (during summer), it’s a way to travel back and see how our ancestors lived a 1000 years ago. I been to several in Scandinavia and must admit, they are mostly the same. Some are smaller, some are bigger and some are placed in historical setting, like the one at Borre.

I found this viking cat, so pretty.

Nebbursvollen, in Lillestrøm, is an outdoor swimming pool area that is very popular in the summertime for kids. Luckily it’s by the water and with big green areas, so set aside from the big, blue slide when you enter this place, it’s really a good setting for a Viking market.

Worship your God -Odin

What happended at Nebbursvollen Viking Market?

As always at a viking- or medival market you’ll find activities to do and watch. The Medieval fairs are bigger and usually have more happenings, but viking markeds also want to show you a good time.

The Viking Market was held by Gjallarstadir Vikinglag and they really delivered. They were dedicated in their roles as vikings, very welcomming and great with kids! They showed, and let the audience (kids and adults), take parts of old viking games.

Perfect autumn weather, love the yellow leaves

Like other markeds of this kind, many talented craftsmen and merchants diplayed and sold everything from kitchen supplies to weapons. I always want everything that has to do with jewellery – and food. What made this even better was the perfect autumn weather, blue sky, much sun and crispy clean air. What more can you ask for at a viking market?

Here are some photos from the Viking Market:

Winter Wonderland

06/01/2015

Last time I walked though Adalsborgen it was summer, now I wanted to see what this old Viking Fortress and forest looked like in winter.

Winter is very beautiful, the sun is low on the sky and creates the most beautiful sunsets. Also when the snow has arrived, it’s like diamonds glints that show in the light. So even though I miss summer, I really enjoyed taking a walk in Adalsborgen, and walk in this Winter wonderland.

The Viking Garden

30/09/2014

This summer a new facility opened in The botanical garden in Oslo. It is the viking garden and it’s a part of the 200th anniversary of The Museum of National History.

In the new viking garden you’ll first notice the 33 meter viking “ship” in steel. Without any doubt inspires by the Oseberg ship.

Oseberg Burial Mound

11/09/2014

Not far from where I grew up in Tønsberg, actually right behind my old school you’ll find Oseberg burial mound. Since I lived this close to this amazing place, the viking history and traditions was something I learned about from an early age.

The Oseberg burial mound (in norwegian: Oseberghaugen) contained numerous grave goods and two female human skeletons. One of them is suggested to be Queen Åsa of the Ynling clan, mother of Halfdan the Black and grandmother of Harols Fairhair (Harald Hårfagre).

One of the biggest discoveries is the Oseberg ship.The ship’s interment into its burial mound dates from 834 AD, but parts of the ship date from around 800, and the ship itself is thought to be older. It was excavated in 1904-1905 and is widely celebrated and has been called one of the finest finds to have survived the viking age.

You can see the ship in all it’s glory at The Viking Ship Museum in Bygdøy, Oslo.

A Vikingshoot in Adalsborgen

06/08/2014

In a previous post, I talked about the forest and fortress Adalsborgen. I love to dress up, especially in historic costumes. So in the spring I made a new viking dress (the red one, the green is from 2013).

Me and my friend Therese , whom also enjoy to dress as a viking decided to have a photoshoot. A vikingshoot in the old, enchanted woods.

Here are some of the pictures from the shoot:

Nordic Viking Festival

07/07/2014

This weekend (4-6. of July) I was at the Nordic Viking Festival in Borre, Norway. A viking fair like no others I’ve been to in ages. So much to see from dusk till dawn.

Approxamently 700 viking enthusiast from all over the World is gathered in Borre to recreate a bloody, exciting and important part of our history here in Scandinavia.

The viking festival is close to Borre beach and the old viking burial mounds. 150 viking tents with people in all ages dressed as vikings. It was like traveling back in time. Truly magical.

On the marked you could buy anything from jewellery to food (a viking is got to eat, right?). Craftsmanships in all historical genres was represented, so many talented and wonderful people gathered.

Also the replicas of the viking ships from Tønsberg (Gaia Oseberg) and Sandefjord (Gaia) was at the harbour and you could take a short ride on this ships.

Excellent entertainment all the way, and a wonderful way to spend the weekend. I was of course dressed as a viking. Can’t wait till next time.

Prices: A/120,- C/60,- People dressed as vikings/0,-

VISIT THE OFFICIAL SITE HERE>>>

Adalsborgen

18/06/2014

The county of Vestfold (south of Oslo) has a long history with vikings. During the viking age (the period from 793 AD to 1066 AD) in Vestfold cities were established and a new civilisation grew strong and stronger.

The viking history isn’t just a brutal one, with raids and Conquest as one usually thinks of. They were also great explorers and traders. West of Borre, there is a forest I’ve grown to know very well, Adalsborgen.

Without any knowledge, it’s hard to get a picture of what this ruins in the woods might have been. It used to be a big fortress, surrounded by smooth mountain walls, that was a natural defence against enemies. They also built a high stone wall (3-4 meters) around the area.

Adalsborgen was an active fortress from the iron age till the late middle ages. After 1503 there are no longer any documents that show any use of the fortress. And now it’s gone.

Utsikten fra Borgåsen

What is left is a beautiful forest with ruins of rocks that whispers of what used to be. It is a magical place I really love it here, it’s quiet and peaceful. Here are some photos I took from a previous hike.

Kaupang

17/06/2014

In Viksfjorden, right outside Larvik, you’ll find Kaupangkilen. Kaupang is considered to be the first town in Norway, and about 800 A.D. the city had approximately 500 inhabitants. Kaupang is also known by the name Skiringssal.

After the year 950 A.D. the city slowly disappeared and during the medieval times there wasn’t a town here anymore. Why it disappeared is unknown but there are several theories to why this happened. One theory is the isostatic uplift, the rise in the level of the land that made the town harbour without sea.

Another theory is that

En annen teori er at siden Kaupang ble etablert under merovingertiden (570-800 e.kr.), altså under dansk styre, forsvant byens status gradvis etter danskene forlot stedet. Da danskene igjen fikk makt i Norge ønsket de å etablere nye handelssteder og Kaupang ble forlat.

Selv om Skiringssal ikke hadde bystatus særlig lenge, har det likevel vært mange bemerkelsesverdige funn her. Smeltedigler, støpeformer, -avfall og modeller. Vevtyngder, spinnehjul, smykker og m.m. Det har også blitt funnet glassperler som stammer fra Midtøsten og Middelhavsområdet.

Frankiske drikkebegere og keramikkkar fra Danmark har også blitt funnet. Noe som kan vitne om den store handelen som tok sted i byen. Det er også mynter fra arabiske områder og ikke minst, romerske bronsemynter. Kaupang ligger ved et flott landeområdet, men hvis man vil dra dit for å utforske sporene etter Skiringssal burde dette gjøres om sommeren.

I løpet av sommeren foregår det ulike aktiviteter og vi ser folk i kostymer som lager mat og viser hvordan vikingene levde. På denne siden vil du se hvilkeaktiviteter som kommer og når. >>> For inngangsbilletten kan man også ta turen innom museet på Kaupang, samt andre museer i Larvik.

Priser: 50 kr,-