Troll Museum
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Tromsø · Kaigata 3

Troll MuseumTromsø

Welcome to the Enchanted North

Step into the world of trolls and fairy tales. The myths and legends that have shaped Norwegian folklore and Northern Norwegian cultural heritage await inside.

Open daily 09:00–19:00 (09:00-18:00 in Apr, May, Sep, Oct) · Kaigata 3, 3rd floor, 9008 Tromsø

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About Troll Museum

Troll Museum Tromsø is a unique, year-round attraction in the heart of Tromsø, dedicated to mythology, folklore, and Northern Norwegian cultural heritage. Through authentic storytelling, research-based exhibitions, and immersive design, the museum brings together trolls, Norse mythology, Sami traditions, and Arctic folklore into one engaging and atmospheric experience.

About Troll Museum

Meet some of our trolls

The forest troll

deep in the dense, ancient forests

The forest troll

Forest trolls live in the deepest, most remote parts of the forests of Scandinavia. They are mysterious and silent creatures. Despite popular beliefs, they actually try to avoid human contact as far as possible. This makes them easy to overlook, for they are true masters of camouflage who blend seamlessly with the nature of their surroundings. However, they will show a rather frightening appearance should they encounter human intruders in their woods. Oftentimes they will first appear as an old fallen tree or a boulder covered with moss and bushes. So when you roam Scandinavian woods, exercise caution and always remember that everything may not be what it seems at first glance - you never know when a forest troll will deem you worthy of his appearance! In a Swedish fairy tale, some trolls even try to live among the human settlers in disguise. The troll crone disguises herself as a human washerwoman, trying to steal human clothes made of precious textiles such as velvet and silk, to later sell for money. A young human maiden, however, discovers and thwarts her scheme, and the troll crone and her son have to flee. In the book Troldskab, Theodor Kittelsen writes the following story about the forest troll: The woods, the wild monotony of the woods, have left their mark on us, we have become one with nature. We love it for what it is, with its melancholy power. As children, we used to stare up into the rustling fir and pine trees, following their mighty trunks with our eyes and soul. We climbed about in the strong, twisted branches, until we reached the very tops - the swaying, rustling treetops, up there in the beautiful blue. When the sun set, solitude and peace descended over the great woods, a dense silence. It was as if they dared not breathe, as if the woods were lying in quiet, silent expectation. Then our hearts would pound. We wanted more - we begged and pleaded for adventures, exciting wild adventures for us poor children. And the forest gave us an adventure. Large but quiet, it approached stealthily, like the soft, soundless tread of a cat. Everything that had been as immobile as stone began to move. In the distance, a rock moved, inspiring awe and fear. It acquired eyes, started moving, walked in immobile silence straight toward us. And we rejoiced in our fear, we loved it! It was the forest troll. His single eye revealed all the horror and fear, all the gold and glistening glamour our childish fantasy demanded. We wanted to be terrified, and we wanted to stand up to him. Small though we were, we wanted to tease him, hack at his heels and steal his gold. But most of all, we wanted the shining eye from his forehead. Who would have believed that the ugly forest troll would possess such an eye?

Nøkken

Inland ponds and lakes of Norway

Nøkken

If you pass by a quiet, little forest pond at twilight, be on your guard. A little lump, overgrown with shrubs and grass floating on the surface or the rotten boat by the edge are not necessarily what they seem to be. And should you encounter a splendid-looking, grayish-white horse grazing peacefully next to the pond, do not climb onto its back for a ride. If you do so, it might very well be the last ride of your life, for the Nøkken is always hungry for human flesh… The Nøkken is a frightening, male water spirit that inhabits inland ponds, lakes and sometimes rivers. His name comes from the Old Norse word nykr, which is closely related to the Old English word Nicor, the Faroese Nykur and the old Germanic Nix, all used to describe similar male water spirits eager to attract humans in an attempt to drown them. In some folkloric traditions, though not Scandinavian, the Nøkken has a female counterpart: Nixe in German folklore, the Melusine in France, and Rusalke in Slavic mythologies. The Nøkken can take several shapes, with the most common being a rotting log or boat lying inconspicuously by the bank, trying to lure an unsuspecting passer-by into taking a little rowing trip on the lake. However, as soon as the victim reaches deep water, the Nøkken shows his true face, and the unfortunate passenger is pulled into the depths to a watery grave. Another well-known disguise for Nøkken is that of a beautiful, white horse. When in this shape, he will try to trick people, especially children, into climbing on his back for a ride. When this happens, however, the Nøkken jumps straight into the water, drowning the rider. The Nøkken might sometimes step ashore and take the shape of an attractive, long-haired young man in an attempt to lure young women into joining him for a romantic swim. When he does appear as a human, he is typically dressed elegantly and playing an instrument like the flute or the violin, for who could resist such a supernaturally beautiful and skilled young man? In this, he resembles the Fossegrim - a water spirit who lives in waterfalls and lures his victims to their death with seductive tunes of the Hardanger fiddle. The Nøkken and his European relatives are thus closely linked to death by drowning. In many myths and legends, this creature will cry from the pond or lake where the accident is to happen. Such cries are known as varskrik (warning cries) and were interpreted as an omen of death. All over Scandinavia, the Nøkken has been used as a cautionary tale by parents to ensure that children would not stray near rivers, lakes, and ponds, where they could easily drown. Although the Nøkken will actively try to attract humans, it is possible to protect against him by throwing an item made of iron or steel at him, or by speaking his name out loud. The best time to see the Nøkken is in the fall, on clear, cold nights when the moon shines bright. On such nights he can be seen peeking his head above the surface to catch one last glimpse of the landscape before the water freezes over for the winter and traps him underneath the ice. You might spot the Nøkken as one, or more, lumps of moss and grass in the lake, and if you look closely enough, you might even see his yellow eyes glowing in the darkness. During winter, he sits at the bottom of the lake, sighing sadly while longing for summer and sun.

Fossegrim

The waterfalls of Norway

Fossegrim

"If you sit at the top of the waterfall, preferably on a bright moonly evening, then you will hear and see the waterfall spirit. Down below in the black cauldron, amid the rings of frothing foam, he sits playing Nature's powerful melodies. At first it is only a thundering roar, but little by little it will take hold of you so that you want to throw yourself down into the music's echoing stream…" (Theodor Kittelsen, Troldskab, 1892) The raw, wild powers of the waterfall have stirred people's imagination for hundreds of years, and if you listen to the melodic sound of a roaring waterfall, it is easy to understand why people would get the impression of a strong, powerful being living in the waterfall, embodying this wild power. In Norway, this creature is known as fossegrim. The Fossegrim, also known simply as "the Grim", is a water spirit or troll in Scandinavian folklore. He is described as an exceptionally talented fiddler: the sounds of forest, wind and water play over his fiddle strings. He usually appears as either a grim, crooked old man, thus the name ("grim" is an old Scandinavian word meaning "ugly") or a handsome young man, but is usually naked (with the rare exception of a tiny loincloth) due to his wet surroundings. The fossegrim is known to occasionally fall in love with a young woman or man and to use his music to enchant them to come join him in the waterfall. He learns too late, however, that humans cannot breathe underwater and are bound to drown, leaving him more lonesome than ever. The fossegrim can be enticed to teach his incredible skill with the fiddle. You must visit the waterfall with a fiddle for three Thursdays in a row, during the evenings. On the first two Thursdays you would need to throw a treat into the waterfall - preferably a stolen piece of ham or cheese. Then, on the third night, if the offering was generous and the fossegrim liked it, he will grab your bowing hand and guide it until your fingers bleed. After this, you will be able to play as well as the fossegrim himself. But remember, whenever you visit the fossegrim for playing lessons, his power over you grows, so make sure to end the lessons in time lest you become a mindless slave to his will…

A museum for anyone between five and ninety-nine

When did you stop looking for magic?

Somewhere between childhood and now, most of us quietly stopped believing in trolls. We don't look twice at a boulder shaped like a face. The mountain has turned back into rock. Fog has become just weather. The forest has flattened into scenery we drive past. This museum exists to hand the old whimsy back to you.

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Reviews

Reviews →
★★★★★
“I was excited to visit the museum, having grown up on Folklore and Legends of Trolls as a child. This explained the writers of children stories, origins in such an innovative and interactive way, that this was one of the highlights of my trip to Tromso. It was not too crowded, but a good activity to do when the weather is not great. Admission was reasonable. I spent a good 90 minutes wandering through the 3 rooms.”
Dawn T · Jun 2026
★★★★★
“Trolls! Who knew they are everywhere?? Fun little museum that helps you learn about these awesome creatures.”
chuk66 · Apr 2026
★★★★★
“Interesting museum. Very informative especially if you have a love or interest in Nordic folklore and myths. Plenty of interactive zones. Otherwise very enjoyable.”
WanderAlex · Mar 2026
★★★★★
“Super fun activity in the world of the Norwegian trolls. A children's paradise. And opportunity for some great pictures too.”
blue047 · Mar 2026
★★★★★
“A cute museum with a lot of folklore and interesting information on troll life. Interactive and an excellent place to take children. Next to seeing the northern lights, this was our second best excursion.”
MELODY R · Mar 2026
★★★★★
“Great little museum. Makes you smile. Lots of information but in small chunks. Really friendly staff.”
Nicola S · Mar 2026
★★★★★
“Called in on a wet day in Tromso. It is easy to find on the 3rd floor, just follow the troll footprints. Fun little museum detailing the folklore around trolls in Norway. Lots of information on the various trolls and some interactive things to do. Staff were lovely.”
helsy27 · Mar 2026
★★★★★
“Easy to find and nicely laid out little Troll museum. Large area to safely store your jackets, very friendly lady on reception. Loads of interesting information and folklore on the various Trolls with plenty of interactive elements to keep you interested. Particularly the moving sand where you can dig deep or create hills to see how the trolls react. Great fun! Definitely worth a visit.”
Gary Millar · Mar 2026

Opening hours

Open daily 09:00–19:00 (09:00-18:00 in Apr, May, Sep, Oct)

Address

Kaigata 3, 3rd floor, 9008 Tromsø

Duration

30-60min

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