- is a small and peaceful community and a local railway station across the river from Trondheim Airport, Værnes.

It is famous for two reasons. The second reason is that Miss Universe 1990, Mona Grudt, was born and grew up in the vicinity and used this address.

Crossroads at the Lånke church, near Trondheim Airport, Vaernes.

The name Hell stems from Old Norse 'hellir' (now 'heller') which means an overhanging rock or a cave that may be used for shelter.

The acts of William the Conqueror in 1066 had a profound effect on the English language, but still many words are similar to corresponding Norwegian words. Thus 'Hell' in English is 'helvete' in Norwegian, comming from Old Norse 'helvíti', i.e. hel + víti, the latter meant 'punishment' and the former was the same in Old English. (Some words never die.)

Some foreign words are – let's say – interesting. In this case the name has been used to attract tourists. Tourism is business, and business doesn't always mean good taste. The lower word on the sign was originally 'godsekspedisjon' which means baggage/freight office. 'Gods' is equivalent to English 'goods', and anybody may make a new word by combining any two or more words.

Notice the snow? It's certainly melting, but that's because it's springtime. Remember, though, that if we can speak of a equivalent to Hell in the Old Norse religion, it was not hot like that of the originally warm region Christian religion, it was cold, bitterly cold ...

The title on these terrible postcards is "Evening mood Hell st.". The buildings have been repainted since this picture was taken – that was a long time ago. If you like it, mail me and I'll send you one from the heap if there is any left.

On the hill above the Hell railway station there are several rock carvings, maybe 5000 years old. Similar petroglyphs are found in several places.
(2008-04-11)

Detail of the petroglyph.
(2008-04-11)

Springtime in Hell. European Liverleaf (Hepatica nobilis) growing close to the rock carvings above
(2003-04-17).