Nature and Culture Trail Hamnskogen

4b. Creatures of the Forest

In the forest lived the trolls. They could swap human babies for troll children. As protection against them people would put an object made of metal in the cradle – like a knife, a pair of scissors or a nail. This was the way to avoid having a changeling in your home.

Trolls lived in roughly the same way as we humans. They kept cattle, baked bread and cooked, got married and held big parties. They were incredibly rich and kept their gold in the mountains.

The ruler of the forest was the wood nymph, a creature with a tail, and a back like a hollowed-out tree trunk. It was not a good idea to go too near her as she would try to lead the lonely traveller astray in the woods. She was also believed to have the power to make people ill. However, by turning your shirt or jacket back to front you could avoid her spell.

At dusk and dawn you could see fairies dancing in open places. They built a ring in the grass – the fairy ring. People believed that the fairies could bring bad luck and illness – so you had to watch out for them.

There were several ways to defend yourself from evil spirits. One way was to walk in a labyrinth, as labyrinths were believed to possess magical powers. Making labyrinths was an ancient custom and their remains can still be seen in several places in the archipelago. Fisherman would walk in a labyrinth before setting out to sea to ensure fair weather and a good catch.

Continue along the road and you’ll come to stop number 5.