Places in Norway That Inspired Disney's "Frozen"

It's been nearly a year since Disney's Frozen hit theaters, but the film still seems to be on everyone's mind. (The story and characters are also currently the main focus of the TV show Once Upon a Time.) Having visited Norway with my six-year-old daughter recently, it's easy to understand how the artists behind Frozen were inspired by the country's stunning vistas. The major cities of Oslo and Bergen, magnificent fjords, and breathtaking mountains make Norway a magical place both on- and off-screen. Here are some highlights from our trip. —Written by Jaime Morrison Curtis
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    © Grethe Ulgjell / Alamy

    Fetsund Lenser

    Fetsund, Norway

    As you “walk on water” at Fetsund Lenser, the 200-year-old timber processing plant-turned-museum along the Glomma River, you will notice small black wooden structures. These were used for storing ice before the invention of the freezer. The ice would be coated in tree sap at the lumber plant and then shipped off to castles and palaces around Europe. Ice harvesting happened right in this spot, much like it is depicted in the opening scenes of Frozen.

  • © Gaute Bruvik/VisitNorway.com

    Northern Norway

    Visit Norway before April, and head far north to see the aurora borealis light up the sky. You’ll feel like you’re right in the scene where Elsa escapes to the mountains and builds her ice palace.

  • © Asgeir Helgestad/VisitNorway.com

    Svalbard

    No visit to Norway would be complete without at least one reindeer sighting. If you can make it all the way to the arctic archipelago of Svalbard, you might even meet Sven’s family. Just don’t let the frostbite bite.

  • © Jaime Morrison Curtis

    When touring the grounds of Akershus, it's easy to see the connection between the exterior (and interior) wood and brick patterns and the castle walls of Arendelle.

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  • © Jaime Morrison Curtis

    St. Olaf’s Church

    Balestrand, Norway

    This stunning church served as the model for the chapel featured in Frozen during the coronation scene, in which Elsa is crowned Queen of Arendelle. Can you guess what else St. Olaf’s church inspired? That’s right—the name of everybody’s new favorite snowman.

  • © Terje Rakke/Nordic Life AS

    Røros

    The snowy peaks and valleys of the town Røros inspired the beautiful white landscapes of Frozen. Art director Michael Giaimo took the vision of a single snowflake, with it’s six-sided structure, and used it as the basis of Elsa’s crystalized world, including her dramatic ice palace and glittering frozen cape.

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  • © Øyvind Heen/VisitNorway.com

    Borgund Stave Church

    Borgund, Norway

    This church completed construction in 1250 A.D. and has been beautifully preserved ever since. The triple-nave style is traditional for these stave churches and served as a model for much of the architecture in Frozen.

  • © John Bentley / Alamy

    Stiftsgården

    Trondheim, Norway

    This royal residence was completed in 1778 and is one of the largest wooden structures in Scandinavia, stretching 190 feet along Munkegaten in Trondheim. Take a tour to experience the inner workings of Anna and Elsa’s castle, and maybe stand at a doorway singing, “Do you want to build a snowman?”

    P.S. It doesn’t have to be a snowman.

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  • © Øyvind Heen/VisitNorway.com

    Bryggen

    Bergen, Norway

    This UNESCO Heritage Site is the old merchant quarter of Bergen and the only preserved business district from the Hanseatic period. The wharf of Bryggen inspired the design of the city of Arendelle, and it’s still in use today with offices, shops, and restaurants bustling with activity and filled with charm.

  • © Jaime Morrison Curtis

    Sognefjord

    Sogn og Fjordane County, Norway

    The deep waters, towering cliffs, and dramatic waterfalls make the fjords of Norway a truly magnificent experience. Renditions of these vistas and waterfalls appear throughout Frozen.

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  • © Terje Borud/VisitNorway.com

    Akershus Fortress

    Oslo, Norway

    Akershus Fortress was the model for Elsa and Anna’s castle in Frozen. You can take a guided walking tour of Akershus Fortress in Oslo to learn all the secrets and stories of this 500-year-old castle. And just to save you some time, you aren’t going to see 8,000 salad plates (trust us—we looked).

  • © Anne-Lise Reinsfelt/VisitNorway.com

    Norsk Folkemuseum

    Oslo, Norway

    The traditional folk dancing costumes found at the Norsk Folkemuseum in Oslo clearly inspired the beautiful garments worn by Anna, Elsa, and the townspeople in Frozen.

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  • © Jaime Morrison Curtis

    Floibanen Funicular & Troll Forest

    Bergen, Norway

    If you’re in Bergen and want to find yourself a magnificent city view, pay a visit to the troll forest. Walk to the base of the Floibanen funicular from the wharf and take the 10-minute journey up the mountain. Right next to the station, you’ll find a magical playground right beside the “troll forest.” Supernatural trolls play a large role in Norse mythology and Norwegian folklore (as any Frozen fan can tell you), and most children believe they are real. They might be right— make sure you check under every mossy rock.