Hvítserkur, the Troll Turned to Stone
Off the coast of northern Iceland, a jagged rock stands in the sea like a beast bending down to drink. Legend says it was a troll, caught by the sunrise.
What was reported
Hvítserkur is a basalt rock stack about 15 metres high, standing in the shallow sea off the Vatnsnes peninsula in north-west Iceland. It has two arches at its base, so it looks like an animal, a dragon or a horse, drinking from the water.
Icelandic legend says it was a troll who came from the Westfjords intending to destroy a monastery, but stayed out too long, and was turned to stone when the sun rose.
Explanations offered
The rock is the remains of an ancient volcanic plug, shaped by the waves. Its base has been reinforced with concrete to stop it from collapsing. Trolls turned to stone by sunlight are a common explanation for rock formations in Iceland.
- When
- Told for centuries
- Where
- Vatnsnes Peninsula, Iceland
- Witnesses
- Icelandic folklore
- Status
- Legend
Famous cases are real, widely reported events. Each file sets out what witnesses said and the explanations that have been offered, without taking a side.
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