What materials were used to create Thomas Dambo's 'The Six Forgotten Giants' project?

It was created using only locally collected materials such as scrap wood, discarded pallets, old fences, and timber from demolished buildings. It is an upcycling art project completed with the participation of hundreds of local residents and volunteers.

Why are the six 'Forgotten Giants' troll sculptures near Copenhagen hidden in forests and wetlands?

It is to encourage people to step into nature, which is often unvisited, and to feel the preciousness of the environment through exploration. It was designed so that visitors can experience a treasure hunt-style adventure by finding the trolls themselves using a map.

What special meaning does the troll 'Sleeping Louis' located in Rødovre hold?

It is an artwork inspired by the historical fact that the location was once a place where homeless people slept. Beyond being a simple sculpture, it was created as a shelter where people can actually enter to rest or take cover from the rain.

What are the characteristics of 'Oscar Under the Bridge', which can be seen in Ishøj, Denmark?

It is a giant troll created as the first piece of the 'Forgotten Giants' project. Installed in Ishøj Strandpark, an ordinary neighborhood park rather than a famous tourist attraction, it offers visitors a unique experience of discovery.

Thomas Dambo Trolls Denmark: Forgotten Giants Hunt

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Best Places to Visit in Denmark

Best Places to Visit in Denmark | Hunting for Thomas Dambo's Trolls

Danish environmental sculptor

Thomas Dambo is

using only discarded wood and scrap materials

to create giant trolls.

He is a world-renowned upcycling artist.

To date, across more than 20 countries,

he has built over 200 trolls,

and most of his creations

are hidden in forests, by lakes, and along beaches—not in museums.

(Fun fact: There are even some of his trolls in South Korea!)

Best Places to Visit in Denmark | Hunting for Thomas Dambo's Trolls

That's why seeking out his work

feels less like visiting an exhibition and more like a real-life treasure hunt.

In particular, just outside of Copenhagen,

"The Six Forgotten Giants" project

is considered one of Denmark's absolute must-see highlights.

The Forgotten Giants Project

"The Six Forgotten Giants"

is the signature project that put Thomas Dambo

on the global map as an artist.

Best Places to Visit in Denmark | Hunting for Thomas Dambo's Trolls

In 2016, commissioned by six municipalities west of Copenhagen

as part of a local cultural event,

six giant trolls were hidden away in overlooked forests, wetlands, and parks.

Lani's Family Hunting for the Forgotten Giants

In the video above, you can see

local kindergarteners out on a field trip to find them.

Why are they called the "Forgotten Giants"?

Best Places to Visit in Denmark | Hunting for Thomas Dambo's Trolls

Thomas Dambo noticed that

"beautiful nature is right in our backyards, yet people rarely visit."

So, instead of placing his art inside a museum,

he installed them deep in the woods,

encouraging people to go on a troll treasure hunt

and rediscover the beauty of nature along the way.

The project's goals were threefold:

- Bringing art out of the museums

- Getting people's feet back onto forgotten natural paths

- Fostering a love for the environment through exploration

Crafted Entirely from Reclaimed Wood

Thomas Dambo's giants are made

using only locally sourced materials—scrap wood,

broken pallets, old fences, and salvaged timber

from demolished buildings.

With hundreds of local residents and volunteers

joining hands to build them, each sculpture becomes

a beautiful community project in itself.

Thomas Dambo's Official Website

Thomas Dambo - Home

Why are they hidden away?

The thrill of finding them one by one: a troll hunting adventure

In Danish folklore, trolls are
guardians of the forests and nature.

Thomas Dambo gave this tradition a modern twist,

imagining these giants tucked away in the woods,

quietly protecting nature out of sight.

Because visitors have to use a map to track them down,

you're not just looking at a sculpture—

you're embarking on a full-blown adventure.

The 6 Forgotten Giants Around Copenhagen

📍 Oscar Under The Bridge, The 6 Forgotten Giants
Skovvej 50, 2635 Ishøj, Denmark

📍 Little Tilde by Thomas Dambo - Troll #16
2625 Vallensbæk, Denmark

📍 Sleeping Louis by Thomas Dambo - Troll #12
Korsdalsvej 112, 2610 Rødovre, Denmark

A. Oscar Under the Bridge (Ishøj)

📍Location: Ishøj Strandpark, Ishøj, Denmark

Best Places to Visit in Denmark | Oscar Under the Bridge

Oscar Under the Bridge is

part of the "Forgotten Giants" project,

This is the very first troll created for the project.

As a mom, this was the most memorable piece for me.

I was so surprised to find it not in some famous, crowded tourist park,

but tucked away in a humble, everyday

neighborhood park!

B. Little Tilde (Vallensbæk)

📍Location: Vallensbæk Mose, Vallensbæk, Denmark

Must-Visit Places in Denmark | Little Tilde (Lille Tilde)

Little Tilde is hidden away deep inside

the wetlands of the Vallensbæk Mose forest.

Peeking through the trees, she watches over

the rich ecosystem of the lake and wetlands.

She was intentionally placed deep in the woods

so that people could have the joy of discovering her

while exploring nature.

C. Sleeping Louis (Sovende Louis)

📍Location: Rødovre, Denmark

Must-Visit Places in Denmark | Sleeping Louis (Sovende Louis)

Sleeping Louis is

more than just a sculpture—he also serves as a shelter.

This spot used to be a place where homeless people slept,

and Thomas Dambo drew inspiration from that reality

to design the artwork as a space where people can actually climb inside

to rest or take shelter from the rain.

Blending art with a meaningful social message,

this is often considered the most symbolic of the six giants.

- These first three trolls are the ones we visited in person,

and while we couldn't make it to the next three, we still wanted to share them with you! -

📍 Hill Top Trine by Thomas Dambo - Troll #17
Filmbyen 34, 2650 Hvidovre, Denmark

📍 Thomas on the Mountain, The 6 Forgotten Giants
2620 Albertslund, Denmark

📍 Friendly Teddy by Thomas Dambo nr. 14.
Hakkemosevej 6, 2630 Taastrup, Denmark

A. Hill Top Trine (Bakketop Trine)

📍Location: Hvidovre

A troll hugging a tree and looking out over the forest.

It’s widely loved as one of the pieces that blends most naturally with its surroundings.

B. Thomas on the Mountain

📍Location: Albertslund, Denmark (Vestskoven Forest)

This is one of the most iconic pieces

representing "The Six Forgotten Giants" project.

Lying comfortably on a hillside and gazing up at the sky,

he has long arms and legs where visitors

can freely sit, climb, or lie down to rest.

C. Teddy Friendly (Teddy Venlig)

📍Location: Hakkemosen, Høje Taastrup

Situated right by a small lake and stream,

this friendly troll extends his long arm

to help people cross the water.

Out of "The Six Forgotten Giants,"

we only got to visit three in person,

but our Thomas Dambo troll hunt doesn't end here!

Bjarke Cirkelsten, separate from the Forgotten Giants (Near Copenhagen)

His giant trolls are hidden

not just in Copenhagen, but all across Denmark,

and even in Sweden.

(There are even some in South Korea!)

Local kindergarten kids actually came here on a field trip!

In my next post,
I'll be sharing
more of Thomas Dambo's awesome trolls
that we encountered all over Denmark
and around the outskirts of Copenhagen, beyond "The Six Forgotten Giants."

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