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Key Details
Type
RealmMythology
Norse Pantheon
Realm
Mythological / Non-physical
About This Location
Fire at the south
Muspelheim is Snorri's hot pole, guarded by Surtr with a burning sword. Sparks from it order the stars; at the end Surtr comes and the world burns. The Voluspa already has Surtr from the south. A full fire-realm with a king is largely Snorri's architecture. There is no cult of Muspelheim. The name explains heat, stars, and the last fire in one geography. Do not invent a fire-giant priesthood; the texts do not.
Primary Sources
“Surtr is he who sits at the border to guard Muspell. At the end he will go forth and vanquish all the gods and burn the world with fire.”
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.
Jotunheim
RealmThe land of the frost giants and other jotnar, a harsh wilderness of mountains and forests bordering Asgard.
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.