Thor's Hammer in Vendolí: From Vikings to Marvel
In Vendolí in the Svitavy region we discovered an unusual gem – Thor's Hammer. We learned about Norse mythology, walked the rainbow path to the guardian statue and tried to lift the hammer from its stone circle.
After visiting the Cave of the Blaník Knights, we planned to visit a place we’d found on the map beforehand and that really caught our interest. It was in Vendolí, in the Svitavy region.
Behind the local football pitch hides an unusual gem – Thor’s Hammer. And since we’re huge fans of the Avengers and Marvel, we simply had to visit this place. 🙂
There’s even a small car park for about three cars, where we parked completely free of charge. 🚗
Norse mythology on the information board
Right by the entrance stands a large information board full of facts about Norse mythology. But one modern pop-culture detail has crept into the old Norse legends on the sign. It states that dwarves forged Mjölnir from the heart of a dying star. That’s a beautiful idea, but it’s actually an invention of the Marvel comic universe.
In the original Norse mythology, recorded among other places in the Prose Edda, the hammer was forged by the dwarves Brokkr and Sindri. While making it, Sindri put iron into the forge while Brokkr worked the bellows. The Prose Edda is a medieval Icelandic work written in the 13th century by the scholar and poet Snorri Sturluson. It’s one of the most important sources through which many stories about the Norse gods, including Thor, Odin and Loki, have survived.
Information board with the legend of how Thor's hammer was made
Rainbow path and the guardian statue
To reach the hammer itself, you have to walk across a colourful rainbow path. Mythologically, it refers to the legendary bridge Bifrost, which connects the human world of Midgard with Asgard, the world of the gods. Right next to it stands an impressive carved wooden statue of a guardian with a shield and an axe.
Rainbow path and the carved guardian statue
The story of the Vendolí Mjölnir
And what’s the best part of it all? The Vendolí Mjölnir wasn’t created as some big commercial project. It was made by a local named Míra Hladík, who originally built it as a geocaching container. But the hammer started attracting so many visitors that it was eventually moved to the sports grounds behind the football pitch, where it’s had its permanent spot since the end of July 2022.
The Viking park by the sports grounds behind the football pitch
The stone circle and our failed attempt to lift the hammer
And then you step into the stone circle. In the middle, on a large boulder, sits Thor’s Hammer itself. It has no ornaments at all, it’s completely smooth. And of course we had to try lifting it… well, we didn’t manage. It held firm and didn’t budge a single millimetre. 🔨🙂
The stone circle and our failed attempt to lift the hammer
So we at least sat down on a bench, had a snack and paused for a while. And of course I took a few photos too..
It’s definitely an interesting place if you happen to be passing by.
Did you already know about this curiosity in Vendolí, or is it news to you? 🙂
Good to know
Where exactly is the place and where can you park?
The place is in Vendolí, in the Svitavy region, right behind the football pitch. There's a small free car park by the entrance for about three cars.
Is there an entrance fee?
No, the place is freely accessible and entry is free.
Is it suitable for children and strollers?
Yes, a flat path leads to the site, and the colourful path along with the chance to take a photo by Thor's Hammer make it a great addition to a family trip.
