For this episode of Folklore Friday we’re diving into the chilling tales and explosive history of Iceland’s very own Mount Hekla, often dubbed as the “Gateway to Hell”! Hekla Volcano’s Eruption Patterns & Destructive Past Our story begins in the year 1104, when Hekla made its grand entrance into the annals of volcanic history with…
Read MorePodcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS | More
At the famous, beautiful, and dangerous Reynisfjara black sand beach there are three sea stacks clearly visible out in the ocean. They look as though they have popped up out of nowhere but there is a story behind their existence. Legend has it that two trolls were trying to pull a ship to shore during…
Read MorePodcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS | More
This particular episode is about Hallgerður Hallgrímsdóttir, who did an interesting interview with VICE back in 2016 about her intimate encounters. An important warning though is that she goes into some graphic details about her and an elf being intimate, as well as an anonymous account that she shares from someone else. It’s definitely out…
Read MorePodcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS | More
The tale about Shaggy Trout is one I learned from reading the lovely book “Meeting with Monsters: An Illustrated Guide to the Beasts of Iceland” by Jón Baldur Hlíðberg and Sigurður Ægisson. I’m summarizing bits of the story in this episode but it is really interesting to read about this fish and other creatures in…
Read MorePodcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS | More
In the North on Drangey Island is where this tale takes place. It’s said that a man went to hunt birds and collect eggs on the island. As soon as he stepped foot on the island, he dropped died. Guðmundur “The Good” Vs The Devil on Drangey Island Word got around about the sudden death…
Read MorePodcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS | More
Today, we’re diving into some intriguing Icelandic tales from East Iceland, specifically some tales from the life of Pastor Vigfús Benediktsson. Back in the 18th century, Vigfús found himself dealing with some pretty wild supernatural encounters. Luckily for him, some of the intuitive and resourceful women in his life were able to help him out…
Read MorePodcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS | More
This episode is part of my Folklore Friday series, where I am sharing fascinating stories from Icelandic folklore on Fridays throughout 2024. The Wrath of an Elf Woman Scorned Even though this story is based in West Iceland, it starts out on the Reykjanes Peninsula in a small village. A group of men ventured to…
Read MorePodcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS | More
Today is the first episode of my Folklore Friday series, where I am sharing fascinating stories from Icelandic folklore on Fridays throughout 2024. This one is extra special because tomorrow is January 6th and it is said that many magical things happen then in Iceland. Why January 6th is the end of Christmas in Iceland…
Read MorePodcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS | More
All Things Iceland is the go-to resource to learn about Icelandic history, culture, language and nature from the view of an expat.
