Welcome to Hell! … In Norway? It’s Not What You Think It Is!
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When someone tells you that “Hell has frozen over,” you might think it’s just a figure of speech. But in the town of Hell, Norway, it’s actually a reality during the winter months. Yes, you read that right! There is a town called Hell in Norway, and it freezes over in winter. Let’s dive into this fascinating phenomenon and learn more about this unique town in Norway.
What Is Hell?
No, we do not mean the literal hell! Hell, a village in the Lånke area of Stjørdal municipality in Trøndelag county, Norway, sits about 3 kilometers south of Stjørdalshalsen. Covering 1.04 square kilometers, it had a population of 1,589 as of 2018, with a density of 1,528 inhabitants per square kilometer.
Hell serves as a post town with two postal codes and features amenities like a grocery store, gas station, fast food shop, and retirement home. Previously, the European route E6 highway passed through Hell, but a new road now bypasses the village.
The village of Hell has gained attention as a tourist attraction due to its name, with visitors frequently posing for photos in front of the station sign. Additionally, a smaller building at the railway station bears a sign reading “gods-expedition,” an archaic spelling of “goods handling” in Norwegian, adding to the village’s quirky appeal.
Where Does the Name Hell Come From?
While “Hell” has a different meaning for us, this village is named after something else. The name “Hell” originates from the Old Norse word “hellir,” meaning “overhang” or “cliff cave.” While in modern Norwegian, “Hell” shares a homonym with “luck.” In Old Norse mythology, “Hel” was the ruler of the underworld, also known as “Hell” in English today. In contemporary Norwegian, the word for hell is “helvete.”
What Else Is There to Hell in Norway?
Hell railway station serves as a junction where the Nordland Line to Bodø splits from the Meråkerbanen between Trondheim and Storlien, Sweden. It remains a staffed railway station. However, the Hell Kjøpesenter Mall is actually located north of the Stjørdalselva River, not in Hell/Lånke, making its name misleading. An annual blues festival, “Blues in Hell,” is held at Hell Station in September.
Originating as the Hell Blues Festival in 1992, it later transformed into the Hell Music Festival in 2006 before reverting to its original concept as “Blues in Hell” in 2008.
Additionally, since 2011, Hell has hosted a round of the FIA European Rallycross Championship, later also including the FIA World Rallycross Championship in 2014.
Would you ever visit Hell in Norway?
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