Trollen i Gamleby - skulpturparken Garpes vänner

Writer: Helena Bergström

Trollen i Gamleby, or the Friends of Garpe Sculpture Park, is an unusual sculpture park in Västervik. When you walk up Garpedansberget, you are greeted by lots by trolls and other mysterious creatures.

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The trolls in Gamleby

Trollen i Gamleby offers a good dose of fantasy and mystery. While you get a nice walk in nature, you get swept away into the world of fairy tales. We liked this place!

Trollen i Gamleby, or Gamleby Trollskogen as it is called on Google Maps, is located in Gamleby in Västervik.

The story of the troll in Gamleby

Garpedansberget is a steep mountain about 80 metres high overlooking Gamleby in Västervik. It was once said that the giant Garpe lived here, and the area is full of stories and myths.

In addition to the giant Garpe, the myths contain stories about princesses, trolls and many other mythological creatures.

Since 2007 there has been a sculpture park on Garpedansberget with some 80 sculptures made of fibre concrete. Behind the art project is the artist Jan Pol (Jerzy Przybyl), with support from the association Kulturkraft i Norra Tjust.

The artwork illustrates Garpe's friends being invited to a big party in the forest.

Visiting the trolls in Gamleby

We have been talking about visiting the trolls in Gamleby for a long time, but only now did it happen. The easiest way to get here is perhaps by car, by setting the GPS to "Gamleby Trollskogen". There is a car park and a sign telling you how to walk up the mountain.

The walk is not long, but there is a forest path and a relatively steep climb. Once you have reached the top of the hill, you will be met by many different interesting figures.

Lots of goblins and creatures

It is an imaginative journey to walk around among the creatures. There are many characters recognised from fairy tales and myths, such as gnomes, trolls, goblins, nymphs, snakes and fairies.

Some people play musical instruments and others dance, hug, look at the view, make speeches or reflect on things by themselves.

There is a lot to look at, and sometimes everything changes just because you change your perspective, or because you see the situation from a new angle.

In a way, it feels like the artworks are growing into nature, becoming part of a mysterious environment.

View from Garpedansberget

At the end of the walk, there is a lovely view from Garpedansberget. Not bad!

Film about the troll in Gamleby

Here you can see a film from our visit to the trolls in Gamleby. Welcome to a mysterious and mythological place!

Where can you stay or park your motorhome?

From the troll in Gamleby it is not far to KustCamp Gamleby, where we had a nice evening many, many years ago. It is also not so far to Västervik Resort, where you can stay at a campsite or in a cottage.

Västervik Resort (photo from previous visit)

More to see and do in the neighbourhood

In the vicinity of Gamleby you will find the beautiful Västervik and Västervik Resort. It is also relatively close to places like Valdemarsvik, Söderköping, Linköping, Vimmerby, Eksjö, Oskarshamn and Mönsterås. Below you will find even more tips on things to see and do in Småland.

Have you visited the trolls in Gamleby?

Have you visited the trolls in Gamleby? How was your experience? Please tell us!

Facts about the troll in Gamleby

Landscape: Småland
County: Kalmar County
Municipality: Västervik municipality
District: Old town district
Location: Garpedansberg

Visiting the trolls in Gamleby

Find here: Set the GPS to "Gamleby Trollskogen". Parking spaces are available.
Price: It is free to visit the trolls in Gamleby.
Opening hours: The park is open all year round.
Accessibility: The hike up to the trolls is on a forest path and is relatively steep.
To take away: Sturdy and comfortable shoes, clothing for the weather, a camera or mobile phone and possibly water if it is hot.

2 Comments

Add yours →

Maggan Lillvik says:

In 2016 we visited the trolls in Gamleby, but now I see that a whole lot more trolls have arrived. Maybe time for a visit again?

17 May 2023 - 13:23

BP says:

Great film with special effects! Good work there! Would not want to walk around there if I had a predisposition for nightmares, I can say. But cool trolls:-)

17 May 2023 - 19:11

Trolls in Gamleby - Friends of the Garpe Sculpture Park

Writer: Helena Bergström

The trolls in Gamleby

The story of the troll in Gamleby

Visiting the trolls in Gamleby

Lots of goblins and creatures

View from Garpedansberget

Film about the troll in Gamleby

Where can you stay or park your motorhome?

More to see and do in the neighbourhood

Have you visited the trolls in Gamleby?

Facts about the troll in Gamleby

Visiting the trolls in Gamleby

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2 Comments

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BP says:

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