Of Trolls and Tapestries

Posted on by Pete Schloss

Some museums are primarily entertaining while others stir deeper emotions. Most, if not all museums are intended to inform and educate. This post focuses on two exhibits we visited in Bergen, the first being of the former variety (entertaining) and the second of the latter (emotional).

Both informed and educated. Unfortunately, it is impossible for me to convey fully their messages. Perhaps this post will encourage you to dig deeper on your own through available Internet resources.

From the very beginning, the Bergen Troll Museum was FUN!

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We expected that, but we did not expect to turn into Trolls!

Here we are before…
… and here we are after!

We also did not expect the myths and legends surrounding Trolls to be so rich in depth and history. The Troll stories intertwine religion, heroism, valor, and the supernatural. Each of these few selected images was accompanied in the museum by a detailed account. Use your imagination and you probably won’t be far off.

The world and kingdom of Trolls 
A video feed which displays scores of images in nature that Norwegians have long believed to be Trolls looking out upon them.
A huge Mountain Troll
Peer Gynt at the Hall of the Mountain King (Troll).
“Peer Gynt refers to the classic 5 Act dramatic poem by Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen in 1867. It tells the epic story of Peer Gynt, a braggart and adventurer who flees his homeland for a life of self-indulgence and fantasy, only to ultimately face the question of his true self. The play is also famous for the accompanying music composed by Edvard Grieg in 1875, which includes the well-known pieces “Morning Mood” and “In the Hall of the Mountain King”
A Winter Troll who looks suspiciously like one of Santa’s elves or perhaps even Santa Claus.
A sea temptress calling sailors to their deaths.
A Troll maiden who’s music charmed a young shepherd. She was beautiful and promised to marry him if he kept their meeting and betrothal a secret for one year. He broke his promise and he thus lost his lover and she her beauty.
The Queen of the Trolls who stole my heart.

In every generation, there are a few noteworthy individuals who dedicate their entire life to a passion. Some are lucky enough to achieve recognition during their lifetime others are lost to the dark curtain of time. Ragna Breivik (1891-1965} falls somewhere in the middle. Her achievements in tapestry design and execution were known nationally and internationally. However, full appreciation of her extraordinary skill, even genius, is still emerging.

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In all there were 10 panels, each measuring approximately 10 feet wide and 5 feet high. I could have spent the entire day taking them in.

Here are a few additional moments from our time in Bergen.

Dinner at the top of the mountain.
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Bergen below at sunset.
1966
Early 1950’s Cadillac Eldorado
One of hundreds of phone booths throughout Norway that are no longer in use. These are federally protected as culturally significant. This one has been repurposed as a lending library. 

I am typing these words as we sail out of port to destinations north.

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A lighthouse.
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Peace Everyone. Pete

15 thoughts on “Of Trolls and Tapestries”

  2. Bill says:

    What a glorious trip so far. I envy your first hand experience. Beautiful pics and a stunning view of your escape to future adventure. Thanks again for taking me along.
    Peace, Bill.

  4. Liz S says:

    Wow – I would love to see the Troll Museum! We recently went to Boothbay Botanical Gardens in Maine – and they have an exhibit of gigantic trolls made of wood, about 20′ tall. Fabulous structures. Weaving – wow – I have a very small loom so I am mildly familiar with how much work goes into weaving. However those panels and the story they told – so interesting. You two get to do the coolest stuff!! Fair winds and following seas my friend.

  6. Joe Tomelleri says:

    Hi Pete, I think you’ve got a ’53 Cadillac. My father had one, I remember those taillights. 1958
    had the hi-rise lethal wings on the back end. And actually, you look pretty good as a troll,
    might shave a bit though if you’re expecting to be kissed by your bride.

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