Thomas Dambo Trolls Denmark: Forgotten Giants Hunt

Best Places to Visit in Denmark

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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!)

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.

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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"?

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.

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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

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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

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Why are they hidden away?

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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.

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The 6 Forgotten Giants Around Copenhagen

A. Oscar Under the Bridge (Ishøj)

📍Location: Ishøj Strandpark, Ishøj, Denmark

Best Places to Visit in Denmark | Oscar Under the Bridge

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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

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! -

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!

His giant trolls are hidden

not just in Copenhagen, but all across Denmark,

and even in Sweden.

(There are even some in South Korea!)

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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