The Legend of Hvítserkur the Troll

Many people think that Hvítserkur, the beautiful basalt stack on the Vatnsness Peninsula in northern Iceland, looks like an elephant, a rhinoceros, or even a dragon.

Actually, according to legend, it is a petrified troll.

Hvítserkur was a giant troll who lived at Mount Bæjarfell with his family. He had enjoyed peace and quiet for centuries but then humans discovered Iceland. At first there were few and Hvítserkur they were not much trouble. They were easy to ignore, step on or eat. One day, Hvítserkur heard shouting, clattering and all sorts or rumbling and thumping sounds.  As most trolls in Iceland, Hvítserkur could not go out during the daytime. Any troll caught out in sunlight would immediately turn to stone. Waiting until that night, when the sun was down and all was dark, he investigated the area on the other side of Húnaflói, where the sound had originated.

He found signs that humans were constructing a large building. He was not happy and knew he would have to watch them carefully. He might have to stop them. Over the next few weeks, Hvítserkur watched and listened. He found out the humans were building a convent they called Þingeyraklaustur. He did not know what that was, and vowed to keep a close eye on the progress.

One night, he was jolted from a deep sleep by a irritating ringing sound. Hvítserkur knew that humans were to blame for the noise coming from the at Þingeyraklaustur convent. They had added bells and they were clanging loudly. Each night, the awful noise got worse. For weeks, Hvítserkur and his family couldn't get a decent night's sleep. One winter's night, Hvítserkur decided he couldn't take it any longer. To stop the horrible sound, he decided to destroy the bells and stomp on convent to dust.

As soon as it was dark, he planned walk across the fjord, destroy the bell, and spend the daylight hours in nearby caves. He would then return home the next night. He prepared during the day and as evening approached, he was ready to set out. As the Hvítserkur started to leave, his son, Bárdur, begged to go with him. Bárdur wanted to see the world. He also argued that he would be able to assist his father just in case the bell tower was to difficult for Hvítserkur to destroy alone. Hvítserkur worried the the fjords were too deep and the hike too difficult for Bárdur. But, Bárdur pleaded and was relentless in his pestering until Hvítserkur agreed. It took Bárdur quite a while to convince his father and it was fully dark when they finally set out.

They soon found out the fjords were very difficult for Bárdur to cross and their progress was slow. So slow, in fact, it took all night. As they came close to the shore of the peninsula, the night was nearly over. Hvítserkur was certain they could make it to share and the safety of caves. They were nearly to land when Hvítserkur looked eastward and saw the sun rising. As soon as the rays of the sun touched him, he instantly began turning to stone. Hvítserkur could feel his body turning and with one arm he shielded Bárdur. Using the other arm and all the strength he had left, he heaved his hammer at the convent where the bell hung. To this day, it is said that the hammer is visible in the eastern part of Þingeyrarsand.

The pronunciation is a little difficult but sounds like "queet ser cur". It starts with a "Q" for the hv and the "er" in the middle is almost "eh" sound.