Troll Museum Tromsø: Exploring trolls and the world of fairy tales in Tromsø
By Molly McPharlin | Photos: Valeri Belov © Troll Museum Tromsø.
Trolls play a significant role in Norwegian fairy tales. All over the country, troll-like rock formations have inspired local legends that have lived on for centuries. The Troll Museum in Tromsø – a cosy museum dedicated to the mythical creatures – was conceived after its founder spotted a troll-like shape in the waters near Tromsø. As the first of its kind, it opened its doors in 2021.
Stories of trolls have been part of Norwegian culture since the Viking age, when they came in the form of jötnar, or ice giants. Over time, these myths turned into the characters we know today: magical creatures in different shapes and sizes, living in a variety of natural habitats. “Historically, these stories have explained different phenomena that science at the time could not,” says Maria Stancic, manager of Troll Museum in Tromsø. “They gave meaning, for example, to the deaths of sailors and foresters doing dangerous work in harsh conditions.”
The Forest Troll is a popular troll in Norway.
Trolls also once served a practical purpose: they warned children to steer away from dangerous, desolate places. Later, as Christianity spread through Norway, the trolls – tied to older pagan beliefs – became convenient villains, embodying the old faith in contrast to the new. Storytelling about them became a beloved pastime, a way to entertain and connect. And in the 19th century, these same figures found renewed importance, helping to fuel Norway’s Romantic Nationalist movement and shaping a sense of cultural identity as the country moved toward independence.
Inventive exhibitions
The museum’s exhibitions include a combination of art, stories, history, and technology. Diverse types of trolls and fairytale creatures are included. “We follow the journey of trolls through Norse mythology, folklore, and into their modern depictions,” says Stancic. “We also make our exhibitions interactive, using Augmented Reality technology (AR), touch screens, and games.”
A traditional Norwegian folktale.
The use of AR is a big draw for the museum, adding a level of immersion and interactivity to the stories told. Visitors can see animated trolls, watch them move and listen to them. Stancic believes that AR gives a richer connection to the exhibitions. “We use it to include more information for those visitors who want access to finer details. It’s also a fantastic way to get children involved in the experience. Younger guests don’t always have the patience to read everything, but they love playing around with trolls on our tablets.”
The Troll Museum maintains a permanent exhibition and decorates its space for major holidays, adding a bit of variety throughout the year. It runs two tours around the city and the museum – Mystical Tromsø, available year-round and focusing on local tales and legends, and Mystical Halloween in Tromsø (October), which concentrates on ghost stories and spooky urban myths in the city. In the past, the museum has organised a Halloween lantern painting and a story hour in December. It also houses a souvenir shop which includes books, some of which are the museum’s own design, plus mementos such as postcards, mugs, and magnets.
Children enjoy exploring the AR technology at the Troll Museum.
Popular with visitors to the city
The Troll Museum is a popular tourist destination. Located in the centre of Tromsø, it is easily accessible from most major hotels as well as the cruise ship pier, and many people fit in a visit on their way in or out of the city. Foreign-language visitors can access the exhibitions using translations and audio guides in major European languages, English, or Norwegian. “In the future we plan to add other languages as well,” says Stancic.
Guided tour.
The Troll Museum has recently expanded with a new branch in Bergen, on Norway’s west coast. This location highlights the trolls and folktales unique to the region, featuring even more innovative and interactive technology. A renovation project is planned for the original site in Tromsø where the exhibitions will go through an expansion. New trolls will soon join the exhibition, while the existing displays are being reimagined to offer an even more immersive experience.
Staff will also offer more themed evenings and seasonal events, working in conjunction with special-interest groups. In the past, they held a drum journey with the Shamanic Union in Tromsø during Sami culture week. Stancic says: “We’d like to start organising lectures on mythology and history so that guests can learn more about Norwegian culture through these lenses. Not only do we want to be a centre for trolls, but also a museum that explores numerous areas of folklore.”
Web: www.trollmuseum.no
Facebook: TrollMuseum
Instagram: @trollmuseum
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