


{"id":8128,"date":"0205-01-23T09:15:47","date_gmt":"0205-01-23T09:17:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.insightvacations.com\/?p=8128"},"modified":"2025-01-23T09:13:16","modified_gmt":"2025-01-23T09:13:16","slug":"norways-viking-connections","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.insightvacations.com\/blog\/norways-viking-connections\/","title":{"rendered":"Legends of the Fjords: Discover Norway&#8217;s Viking Connections"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"legacy-blog-column\">\n<div class=\"legacy-blog-column\">\n<div class=\"legacy-blog-column\">\n<p>The Norwegian Fjordland is a dream world of soaring mountains, icy glaciers and rivers which cascade hundreds of metres into the green valleys below. For those wishing to explore <a href=\"https:\/\/www.insightvacations.com\/destinations\/europe\/norway\">Norway\u2019s<\/a> Viking connections, the fjords hold within them a wealth of history, myths and legends.<\/p>\n<p>We spoke to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.insightvacations.com\/the-insight-difference\/seamless-stress-free-travel\">Travel Director<\/a> and Scandinavian specialist Danny to learn more about the fjords, the Vikings, and other stories that will leave you yearning to visit for yourself.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"legacy-blog-column\">\n<div class=\"legacy-blog-column\">\n<h3 class=\"legacy-post-title\">The Norwegian Fjords<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"legacy-blog-column\">\n<div class=\"legacy-blog-column\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"legacy-post-image aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insightvacations.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Large-Geraingerfjord-1408055975.jpg\" alt=\"View overlooking Gerainger Fjord in Norway, with dappled sunlight on the water \" width=\"1920\" height=\"1282\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"legacy-blog-column\">\n<div class=\"legacy-blog-column\">\n<div class=\"legacy-blog-column\">\n<p>From its great capital Oslo to beautiful Bergen \u2018the gateway to the fjords\u2019, Norway\u2019s cities have much to offer. However, often described as \u2018nature\u2019s own work of art\u2019, Norway also has some of the biggest and most beautiful fjords in the world. Described as a deep, narrow and elongated sea or lakedrain, with steep land on three sides, a fjord is formed when a glacier retreats. After carving its typical U-shaped valley, the sea fills the resulting valley floor.<\/p>\n<p>These waterways are home to waterfalls, multiple wilderness areas, remote islands and even entire cities. The western fjords of Norway, such as Geirangerfjord and N\u00e6r\u00f8yfjord are designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites, so important is there place in Norway&#8217;s landscape \u2013 and its lore.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"legacy-blog-column\">\n<div class=\"legacy-blog-column\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"legacy-post-image aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insightvacations.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/IMG_20190909_162214-2.jpg\" alt=\"Self-shot portrait of Danny overlooking a fjord\" width=\"4088\" height=\"3066\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"legacy-blog-column\">\n<div class=\"legacy-blog-column\">\n<div class=\"legacy-blog-column\">\n<p>\u201cThe first time you see them, the fjords are simply breathtaking,\u201d Danny says. \u201cEspecially when it&#8217;s raining, as the water cascades down the sides of the cliffs to magnify their beauty. Many are deep, have a coral base and are full of life, providing opportunities to see dolphins or whales.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>For Norway\u2019s Viking population who called the fjords home, it was believed Mother Nature was born from the body of a dead giant and that the Earth was made of its flesh. The oceans corresponded to the giant\u2019s blood and sweat, and the clouds were its brains. It was said that the bones of the giant formed the fjords hills, his teeth became the reefs and his hair all the vegetation.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Discover this on: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.insightvacations.com\/tours\/country-roads-of-scandinavia\">Country Roads of Scandinavia<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Further reading: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.insightvacations.com\/blog\/january-the-best-time-to-visit-norway\/\">All That Glitters: Why January is the Best Time to Visit Norway<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"legacy-blog-column\">\n<div class=\"legacy-blog-column\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"legacy-blog-column\">\n<div class=\"legacy-blog-column\">\n<h3 class=\"legacy-post-title\">The lost history of the Vikings<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"legacy-blog-column\">\n<div class=\"legacy-blog-column\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"legacy-post-image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insightvacations.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Large-Viking-Museum-in-Oslo-522692214.jpg\" alt=\"post image\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"legacy-blog-column\">\n<p>Danny explains that \u201cThe Vikings left little to no written records documenting their history. Instead their culture was spread through oral traditions, like songs or poems. We just have bits and pieces to put together. All they had, for historic purposes, were runic inscriptions left on pieces of stone, bark or bone. These inscriptions contained messages in Old Norse and consisted of an alphabet script known as Futhark.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMany of these scripts memorialized the dead, recorded local histories and even consisted of magical incarnations<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;For example, one of the most famous runestones are the Jelling stones that praise Harold Bluetooth and his parents. He was a Danish Viking king that united the Danes and brought them christianity. Today the Nordic Rune initials H and B are combined to make the bluetooth symbol we know today.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhen people ask when did the Vikings originate, it is a hard question to answer because of the lack of written history. However, we know that the first major raid can be pinpointed to 793 AD when they attacked Lindisfarne in the North east coast of England. The English &#8216;Anglo-Saxon Chronicles&#8217; described them as &#8216;heathen men&#8217; that destroyed God\u2019s church through &#8216;fierce robbery and slaughter.'&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Experience it:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.insightvacations.com\/tours\/spectacular-scandinavia-its-fjords\">Spectacular Scandinavia and its Fjords<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"legacy-blog-column\">\n<div class=\"legacy-blog-column\">\n<h3 class=\"legacy-post-title\">Farmers and traders<\/h3>\n<p class=\"legacy-post-title\">\u201cIn fact, a lot of the Vikings were farmers and traders,\u201d Danny continues. \u201cThey went out exploring, in search of riches rather than land. But if you can imagine, these are people who believe in the power of their Norse gods, such as Thor, being behind lightning strikes. So when they pitched up to an undefended English church filled with gold, of course they\u2019re going to take it!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"legacy-blog-column\">\n<div class=\"legacy-blog-column\">\n<div class=\"legacy-blog-column\">\n<p>\u201cSo often our perception of them comes from the victims&#8217; documentation of their raids. In reality, it&#8217;s just the way life was in Viking settlements. Tribes often fought tribes for access to the best resources in harsh environments. Nonetheless, the Vikings were still incredibly clean and sophisticated people. They weren&#8217;t the unwashed savages that some might expect.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAnd the Vikings adapted. For example, they found that converting to Christianity meant a bigger trade network. This meant greater alliances through respect, which meant more wealth and riches. By the 11th century they had transitioned into a modern lifestyle.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>You might also enjoy <a href=\"https:\/\/www.insightvacations.com\/blog\/what-are-northern-lights\/\">The Northern Lights: What are The and What to See Them\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"legacy-blog-column\">\n<div class=\"legacy-blog-column\">\n<h3 class=\"legacy-post-title\">Viking life in the Fjordlands<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"legacy-blog-column\">\n<div class=\"legacy-blog-column\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"legacy-post-image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insightvacations.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Large-Fjord-landscape-in-Norway-106441758.jpg\" alt=\"post image\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"legacy-blog-column\">\n<p>\u201cMost of Norway\u2019s Viking population stayed inland on the fjords, protecting their farmland communities,\u201d Danny tells us. \u201cPeople often think they had massive road networks, but almost everything was done by the sea and the fjord. They would even try to base themselves next to rivers so that their longboat construction or blacksmith pollution could run into the sea.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf you&#8217;re further inland, you&#8217;re less likely to get attacked. There is a lot of protection because they can defend from both sides of the fjord. But there&#8217;s pros and cons living on the fjord, you may have your farmland and sea trade, but because it is quite isolated in different fields, sometimes the only time you met other people is through big festivities or events.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSo, for example, for a wedding you may need to crossover the glacier. But this was the opportunity to meet people, get married and extend your family. This is how these small settlements grew.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>You may also enjoy reading <a href=\"https:\/\/www.insightvacations.com\/blog\/the-last-indigenous-people-of-europe\/\">Meet the Sami, the Last Indigenous People of Europe<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"legacy-blog-column\">\n<div class=\"legacy-blog-column\"><strong>Experience it: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.insightvacations.com\/tours\/grand-scandinavia\">Grand Scandinavia<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"legacy-blog-column\">\n<div class=\"legacy-blog-column\">\n<h3 class=\"legacy-post-title\">Harold Fairhair<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"legacy-blog-column\">\n<div class=\"legacy-blog-column\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"legacy-post-image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insightvacations.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Large-Norway-Western-Fjords-Nordfjord-rowboat-on-lake-in-mountains-sb10070095b-001.jpg\" alt=\"post image\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"legacy-blog-column\">\n<p>\u201cThe main character, in terms of Norway\u2019s Viking leaders that everyone needs to know is Harald Fairhair,\u201d Danny says. Regarded as the first Norwegian king, he united the petty kingships of Norway into a single realm in AD 872.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cViking legend has it that he fell in love with a girl called Gyda, daughter of King Eir\u00edk of Horthaland. After sending a messenger to ask for her hand in marriage, she refused him as a petty lord. Gyda felt only a suitor that had enough power to become King of all Norway would be worth her time. Harold was so keen to have her hand, he vowed not to cut his hair until he had made her his wife.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHarald\u2019s strength and connections through conquering settlements and tribes, soon made him a threat to other Lords. While he was attacking up north, a group of leaders in the South formed an alliance to stop him. To retain power Harald travelled down to Hafrsfjord, near Stavanger and destroyed the entire alliance, uniting Norway into one kingdom.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"legacy-blog-column\">\n<div class=\"legacy-blog-column\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"legacy-post-image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insightvacations.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Large-Naeroyfjord-With-Layers-Of-Cloud-1141870579.jpg\" alt=\"post image\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"legacy-blog-column\">\n<p>To commemorate the Battle of Hafrsfjord (AD 872), the Sverd i Fjell monument comprises three enormous bronze swords erected in solid rock. Each 10 metres high, the swords stand for peace unity and freedom, with the hilts modelled on Viking swords found in different parts of Norway. The largest sword, in the centre, is based on Harald&#8217;s sword. \u201cI love to tell this story to guests as we pass the site,\u201d says Danny.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAfter the battle Harald went back to Gyda who agreed to marry him. Harald, who had famously been known as Harald Tanglehead after ten years\u2019 worth of hair growing, was finally able to have it cut and became Harald Fairhair from then on.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"legacy-blog-column\">\n<div class=\"legacy-blog-column\">\n<h3 class=\"legacy-post-title\">Norse Mythology &#8211; Jotunheimen, Home of the Giants<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"legacy-blog-column\">\n<div class=\"legacy-blog-column\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"legacy-post-image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insightvacations.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Large-Hut-in-the-mountain-of-Jotunheimnen-in-Norway-501227852.jpg\" alt=\"post image\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"legacy-blog-column\">\n<p>\u201cAs well as Norway\u2019s Viking legends, I love to talk to guests about the mythology behind the trolls and the Norse gods that are also very important to Norway\u2019s heritage,\u201d says Danny. \u201cIn Norse mythology, the J\u00f6tnar were giants. They were considered enemies of the Gods and often in conflict with them.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhen we leave the Geirangerfjord on our Spectacular Scandinavia tour, we see two mountain ranges. One is Jostedalsbreen which is the glacier and the one before it is Jotunheimen. In fact, Jotunheimen means \u2018home of the Giants\u2019, which is the name of the whole National Park.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt is said that these huge giants were white in colour; they mixed with the snow. We even throw in the fables and local stories that the power lines are actually electricity fences to scare them off. That they still exist in modern day!<\/p>\n<p>\u201cJotunheimen itself is spectacular. It&#8217;s the largest mountain range in the whole of Norway and was a huge trading route for Norway\u2019s Vikings, for salt, iron and fish.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Read next: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.insightvacations.com\/blog\/gods-of-weather-ancient-mythology\/\">The Deities and Gods of Weather: Exploring Ancient Customs and Beliefs\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>See Scandinavia in Business Class style on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.insightvacations.com\/tours\/scandinavian-heritage\">Scandinavian Heritage<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"legacy-blog-column\">\n<div class=\"legacy-blog-column\">\n<h3 class=\"legacy-post-title\">N\u00f8kken &#8211; Water Spirits<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"legacy-blog-column\">\n<div class=\"legacy-blog-column\">\n<div class=\"legacy-blog-column\">\n<p>&#8220;I really like to mix up tales for guests. Between Norway\u2019s Viking stories and the folklore, there are so many great tales to share\u201d says Danny with a smile. \u201cThe n\u00f8kken were water spirits in folklore and Norse mythology. These mythical creatures were venerated, even by the Vikings. These were shape shifters and it was said they lured woman and children down to the lakes and streams by playing enchanted music, similar to a violin, like a siren.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThese shape shifters usually took the form of horses in order to lure children close to the waters\u2019 edge. Upon any contact it would then glue itself to their victim and drag them into the water in order to drown them.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt&#8217;s a dark story, but it gave people of the day a way to explain accidents that happened. They used to give offerings like Spirit vodka, black animals, wet snuff and drops of blood, so that the spirits would leave them alone. It is said that if you see a suspicious horse, you call its name \u2018n\u00f8kken\u2019 and it will then lose its power and run off, meaning you&#8217;ll be fine.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>Save for later: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.insightvacations.com\/blog\/finland-worlds-happiest-nation\/\">Why Finland is Still the World&#8217;s Happiest Nation<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"legacy-blog-column\">\n<div class=\"legacy-blog-column\">\n<h3 class=\"legacy-post-title\">There&#8217;s no place like Scandinavia<\/h3>\n<div class=\"legacy-blog-column\">\n<p>\u201cI\u2019ve been a travel director now for 12 years and have travelled and worked across Europe, Egypt, Turkeys and Asia. But Scandinavia is just the best,\u201d Danny says. \u201cThere are few countries in the world that will provide you with such stunning environments.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI find working in Scandinavia brings me so much joy, because every time our guests see this part of the world first hand, their excitement is contagious. As a result, I get to relive that moment again and again. Scandinavia is staggeringly beautiful and the people cannot be nicer. I fell in love and have made Scandinavia and Norway my specialism for the last five years, and I couldn\u2019t be happier. I encourage everyone to come and visit.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"legacy-blog-column\">\n<div class=\"legacy-blog-column\">\n<div class=\"legacy-blog-column\">\n<p>To explore Norway\u2019s Viking connections for yourself, in premium comfort and style, take a look at our tours to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.insightvacations.com\/destinations\/europe\/norway\">Norway<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Norwegian Fjordland is a dream world of soaring mountains, icy glaciers and rivers which cascade hundreds of metres into the green valleys below. For those wishing to explore Norway\u2019s Viking connections, the fjords hold within them a wealth of history, myths and legends. We spoke to Travel Director and Scandinavian specialist Danny to learn [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":42,"featured_media":8153,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1166,1824],"tags":[65,75,822,1539,1466,551,145,1818,1240,820],"class_list":["post-8128","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-europe","category-history-heritage","tag-destinations","tag-europe","tag-fjords","tag-folklore","tag-geirangerfjord","tag-history","tag-norway","tag-post-template","tag-travel-director","tag-vikings"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.2 (Yoast SEO v27.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Legends of the Fjords: Discover Norway&#039;s Viking Connections<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"An expert on Scandinavia, Travel Director Danny and talks us through Norway\u2019s Viking connections, myths and legends.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.insightvacations.com\/blog\/norways-viking-connections\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Legends of the Fjords: Discover Norway&#039;s Viking Connections\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"An expert on Scandinavia, Travel Director Danny and talks us through Norway\u2019s Viking connections, myths and legends.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.insightvacations.com\/blog\/norways-viking-connections\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Insight Vacations\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"0205-01-23T09:17:02+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-01-23T09:13:16+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.insightvacations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Large-Geirangerfjord-fjord-and-the-Seven-Sisters-waterfall-Norway-980813392.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1920\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1469\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Leanne Williams\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:title\" content=\"Legends of the Fjords: Discover Norway&#039;s Viking Connections\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:description\" content=\"An expert on Scandinavia, Travel Director Danny and talks us through Norway\u2019s Viking connections, myths and legends.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.insightvacations.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Large-Geirangerfjord-fjord-and-the-Seven-Sisters-waterfall-Norway-980813392.jpg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Leanne Williams\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"10 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.insightvacations.com\\\/blog\\\/norways-viking-connections\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.insightvacations.com\\\/blog\\\/norways-viking-connections\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Leanne Williams\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.insightvacations.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/8bfc025a2a102842518b14da71ba537f\"},\"headline\":\"Legends of the Fjords: Discover Norway&#8217;s Viking Connections\",\"datePublished\":\"0205-01-23T09:17:02+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-01-23T09:13:16+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.insightvacations.com\\\/blog\\\/norways-viking-connections\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":1807,\"commentCount\":0,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.insightvacations.com\\\/blog\\\/norways-viking-connections\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.insightvacations.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2023\\\/04\\\/Large-Geirangerfjord-fjord-and-the-Seven-Sisters-waterfall-Norway-980813392.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"Destinations\",\"Europe\",\"Fjords\",\"Folklore\",\"Geirangerfjord\",\"History\",\"Norway\",\"Post Template\",\"Travel Director\",\"Vikings\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Europe\",\"History &amp; 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