Hell, Norway: The Ironic Destination

Hell, Norway, is a small agricultural village located in the central part of the country. It sits in the Trøndelag region, approximately 24km east of Trondheim. The place with such a hellish-sounding name seems like it would be an unbearable inferno, but it is quite the opposite.

Hell is a charming town, and it is believed that the name is quite ironic. According to the legend, the name originated from a time when boats travelled upriver to trade goods. The boats would have to pass through a particularly narrow waterway, and the journey was long and treacherous, making it difficult for the crewmen. The phrase “we are going to hell” became a popular phrase used to describe the journey. The name stuck, and now Hell has become a tourist destination because of its ironic name.

Nowadays, the small village of Hell is known for its train station. In 1995, the United States postal service offered the opportunity for people to have their Christmas cards and letters stamped with a postmark from Hell. Due to the popularity of the idea, many people started sending their Christmas postcards to Hell, Norway, to get the special postmark. Hell Post Office now receives over 150,000 letters every year, making it one of the busiest post offices in the world.

Apart from the quirky post office, Hell is home to several lakes and forests that are perfect for nature walks and fishing. Tourists can visit the local chapel and the nearby Hell Station, which is a popular pitstop for tourists travelling on the Nordland Railway.

Despite its name, Hell is a peaceful and welcoming place to visit. Visitors here are often greeted with quirky signs that read, “Welcome to Hell,” and “Have a Hell of a good time.” The restaurants and cafes in Hell sell souvenirs like t-shirts and mugs with slogans fit for the town’s name, such as “I Went to Hell and Back.” Drinking a beer in Hell’s local pub is a must-have experience, where one can see the humour that the Norwegians show in their daily life.

In conclusion, Hell, Norway, may sound like the last place one would want to visit, but it is, in fact, an idyllic and scenic location. The locals are friendly, and the place has a great sense of humour, making it a perfect destination for those who have a sense of adventure and want to make memories that will last a lifetime.