The Senja Troll (no|'''Senjatrollet''') was a tourist attraction in Finnsæter on the island of Senja in northern Norway. It was completely destroyed in a fire on March 28, 2019. The largest troll statue in the world, it was the centerpiece of a family park associated with the Hulderheimen cultural center, together known as the Hulder and Troll Park. The troll has been given a wife, or crone (kjerring); inside both figures are an adventure park and other attractions.
The Hulderheimen cultural center in Finnsæter opened in 1989, named for a legend about a local mountain, the Hulderberg.[1] The Senja Troll attraction opened nearby on June 1, 1993;[2] it was built by Leif Rubach, who runs the attraction with his wife, Siw, dresses as a troll including fake troll feet, and calls himself the "troll father".[1] [3] [4] He was inspired by a local legend of a troll who appeared both on the island and in the sea nearby. The troll is made of injection molded concrete, polyester, and plastic,[4] was 17.96m (58.92feet) high, and weighed 125000kg (276,000lb); in 1997 Guinness World Records listed it as the world's largest troll.[3] In 2007, after years of rivalry, the Hunderfossen Familiepark in Gudbrandsdalen conceded that their troll was not as tall.[2]
Inside the troll was a two-story adventure park.[3] [5] Rubach was planning in 2017 to renovate this to add a section for fall and winter activities.[6] There is also a miniature train, the "Sesam-train".[3]
In 2007 a wife, or crone, was lowered beside the troll by crane;[7] their union was blessed by a priest with two NRK program hosts serving jointly as best man,[3] and in 2012 they had sextuplets, which were baptized.[8]
On March 28, 2019, the Senja Troll caught fire and burned down within few minutes.[9]