The Hidden Treasure Behind Skógafoss Waterfall – Folklore Friday

All Things Iceland

This episode is part of my Folklore Friday series where I am sharing a folklore story every Friday in 2024.

Where is there treasure behind Skógafoss waterfall?

In Icelandic Legends and Fairy Tales, 1862-64, Jón Árnason (1819–1888) added more details to the story of Þrasi Þórólfsson in Skógar. It is said that Þrasi buried a chest full of gold and treasures beneath the Skógafoss waterfall, and in olden times, part of this chest was visible.

An old rhyme goes:

“Þrasi’s chest is filled with treasure,
Hidden beneath Skógafoss waterfall,
The first to find it there,
Will discover great riches.”

Jón also recounts that around the year 1600, three men attempted to retrieve the chest. However, they were distracted when they thought their farmhouse was on fire. Rushing back, they found no fire. When they returned to the waterfall, they managed to hook a ring attached to the chest.

As they tried to pull it out, the ring broke off. It is said that this very ring is now affixed to the door of the church in Skógar.

Random Fact of the Episode

There are many more waterfalls behind Skogafoss waterfall. This path is part of the Fimmmvöruháls trail.

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Icelandic Word of the Episode

Íslenzkar þjóðsögur og ævintýri – Icelandic Legends and Fairy Tales

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