When the wrath of the jutul hit Sandviken
Do you see the large stone that sits on the plain? It may look out of place resting on the flat beach, but legend tells a dramatic story of how it came sailing through the air. A long, long time ago, a mighty jutul lived in Håkanesnutene - the steep mountains you see on your right as you look down on Tinnsjøen. The jutul was hopelessly in love with the beautiful Marit, and when one day he saw her sitting in a bridal procession on her way to church, his heart was filled with jealousy and anger.
When the boats reached land and the bridal party stepped onto the plain, Marit is said to have been wearing a magnificent bridal crown that glittered with the sun. A clap of thunder sounded from the mountain: «Here's my wedding present!». With enormous force, the jutul threw a gigantic stone at the party. A dark cloud obscured the sun, and with a deafening hiss the stone hit the ground. It didn't hit Marit, but the air pressure was so strong that the crown was torn off her head and she was trapped under the enormous pebble. In his fury, the jutul emerged from the mountain, but in the heat of battle he forgot that the sun was shining - and as the first rays hit him, he cracked and turned to stone.
Is the crown still there?
Legend has it that Marit's precious bridal crown is buried deep under the stone to this day. For generations, children and adults have visited the stone to see if they can glimpse a glimpse of gold or perhaps be able to touch the giant. When the well-known hiking enthusiasts «Mina and me» visited us during their Norway Along tour in 2023, the sisters were captivated by the story. Even after crossing the entire country, the bridal crown at Sandviken is one of the memories that sticks best.
A piece of living history
The story of the stone is not just oral tradition; it was actually immortalised in Kongsberg Tidende as far back as 1 August 1925. We at Sandviken are proud to manage this little piece of national romance. We encourage all our guests to take a trip to the stone. Perhaps you'll be the first in over a hundred years to manage to move it? And if not, it's still a perfect spot for a photo with the mighty Håkanes knots in the background - where the Jutul still guards his lost treasure.
You can listen to the audio file below.
