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All the United States Kentucky Shepherdsville Bernheim Forest Giants

Bernheim Forest Giants

Visitors to this arboretum are greeted by three smiling giants crafted from sustainable materials.

Shepherdsville, Kentucky

Added By
Katie-Beth Gamblin
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Mama Loumari.   kgamblin / Atlas Obscura User
Mama Loumari.   kgamblin / Atlas Obscura User
Little Nis.   kgamblin / Atlas Obscura User
Little Elina.   kgamblin / Atlas Obscura User
  angiebaby4077 / Atlas Obscura User
  angiebaby4077 / Atlas Obscura User
Little Elina   jcbell764 / Atlas Obscura User
  Bluejeanlace / Atlas Obscura User
Photosynthesis   ski queen / Atlas Obscura User
Such a great place to visit   muddylilo88 / Atlas Obscura User
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Spirit Nest   cjklever / Atlas Obscura User
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Spirits Nest   Explorerchick502 / Atlas Obscura User
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About

To celebrate the 90th anniversary of the Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest, Danish artist Thomas Dambo constructed three giants to commemorate the occasion. The massive sculptures were created using wood and a variety of other sustainable materials from around the region. The giants can be found along a two-mile out-and-back trail that takes you across the park. Visitors are allowed to take pictures, touch, and decorate the giants. 

The sculptures were created as a family and each has its own unique name; they are, Mama Loumari, Little Nis, and Little Elina. The father of the little giants, Isak Heartstone, can be found along the Trollstigen Trail in Breckenridge, Colorado. The giants even have their own fairytale called, The Great Story of the Little People and the Giant Trolls: While the Weather got Better. 

More recently, one of the giants was featured in the 2022 Netflix series Lost Ollie.

Related Tags

Sculptures Woodwork Recycling

Know Before You Go

Entry to view the giants is free, but there's a suggested $10 donation per car.  

Community Contributors

Added By

kgamblin

Edited By

linkogecko, Richie Goff, ski queen, cjklever...

  • linkogecko
  • Richie Goff
  • ski queen
  • cjklever
  • angiebaby4077
  • muddylilo88
  • Bluejeanlace
  • Explorerchick502
  • Errika
  • jcbell764
  • phdean06

Published

November 6, 2019

Updated

January 31, 2024

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  • Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest
Bernheim Forest Giants
2075 Clermont Rd
Shepherdsville, Kentucky, 40110
United States
37.902091, -85.62184
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Photo of Kentucky

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Photo of Kentucky

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United States

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