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Key Details
Type
RealmMythology
Norse Pantheon
Realm
Mythological / Non-physical
About This Location
Giant country east of the wall
Jotunheim is where the jotnar live: Utgard, Thrymheim, the halls Thor raids in the Poetic Edda and in Snorri's Skaldskaparmal. It lies beyond Midgard's wall, often to the east, in mountains and waste. The gods marry from there and fight there. It is not a mapped kingdom. No cult addresses Jotunheim as a holy site. The poems need a hostile outside so that Thor has somewhere to drive the goats.
Primary Sources
“Thor shall fare into Jotunheim and make war on the giants.”
More from Norse Pantheon
Asgard
RealmOne of the Nine Worlds and home to the Aesir tribe of gods, connected to Midgard by the rainbow bridge Bifrost.
Midgard
RealmThe realm of humanity (Earth), encircled by the world serpent Jormungandr and connected to Asgard by the Bifrost bridge.
Niflheim
RealmThe primordial realm of ice, mist, and cold. Its frozen rivers combined with Muspelheim's fire to create the first life.
Muspelheim
RealmThe primordial realm of fire, ruled by the fire giant Surtr, whose flames will consume the world at Ragnarok.
Vanaheim
RealmHome of the Vanir gods associated with fertility, wisdom, and nature—including Freya, Freyr, and Njord.
Svartalfheim
RealmThe underground realm of the dwarves (dark elves), master craftsmen who forged Mjolnir, Gungnir, and other legendary items.