The Giantess Cave, Iceland


The Giantess Cave, Keflavik, Iceland

While in Iceland, on a 17 hour layover, we rented a car and drove the Golden Circle.  Absolutely, stunningly, beautiful, we enjoyed our short visit very much.  Our last stop, after doing the circle, was a short detour over to the Giantess Cave in Keflavik. 

View from the parking area near the Giantess Cave

This was just 5 minutes from the airport, and not only was it fun to see, but the nearby views were again, stunning, and worth the stop on their own merit!

The likeness of the Giantess from Herdís Egilsdottir’s children's book series sits along the path to Skessuhellir (The Black Cave) which was built on the north side of Duus Marina by the citizens of the town to honor the author and her stories.  

It's free to visit, just follow the footsteps and walk right in...

There's a photo op right before the cave

 The books, which unfortunately are difficult to locate, and do not appear to have been translated into English,  feature six year old Sigga and her friend, a nice, gentle Giantess who lives in a mountain cave.

 In Sigga og skessan í fjallinu, the first book written In 1959, Sigga was sent by her mom to pick berries in the Icelandic mountains. That day, she went further and higher than ever before, where she met a nice and friendly Giantess. Their story is told through 16 children's books. 

The dress that hangs in the cave is representative of one that Sigga's mother makes for the Giantess as a thank you for watching over Sigga.  The Giantess only wears it on special occasions.

In the final book of the series, the gentle Giantess rescues fishermen lost in a violent storm. This story inspired the creation of a “cozy cave” by the harbor that young fans could visit. 


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In August of 2024, My daughter and I took a two week trip to England to visit my son's family, while they were stationed there.  On our way home, we had a 17 hour layover in Iceland.  We rented a car and made the most of that layover.  





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