Scandinavia is known for its colorful mythology filled with elves, fairies, trolls, and giants. While it’s impossible to exactly pinpoint the origin of these myths, there are locations across the country that have roots in their beginnings. In Skane, there is the Troll Forrest and in Blekinge, there are the Troll Kettles. 

These “kettles” are actually water holes, several meters wide and created in the solid rock, filled with murky water. Most of them are rounded and even sanded to a degree that makes them appear human-made. However, their size quickly makes you think of something bigger. 

Of course, these kettles are not made by supernatural beings, but that does not make their origin any less amazing. These holes were created around 11,000 years ago by melting glaciers. When water dripped down to the bottom of the ice sheet and was placed under massive pressure by the moving ice, any loose rock was pushed against the bedrock. It sometimes spun due to the local topology. A smooth and round hole was then created, with its size depending on the size of the stone and the pressure of the ice. 

There are 10 Troll Kettles in Tarap, with the largest being over 11 feet (3.5 meters)wide and the smallest being nearly 5 feet (1.5 meters) wide. Additionally, there is one kettle situated in a long since cracked rock face and can be seen from the side.