Valhalla facts for kids

A picture from a 17th-century Icelandic book, showing Heimdall guarding the doors of Valhalla.

In old Norse mythology, Valhalla is a huge, special hall. It's like a grand palace! Here, the mighty god Odin welcomes brave warriors who died in battle. These warriors are chosen by special goddesses called Valkyries. Valhalla is where these heroes get ready to fight alongside Odin in a huge final battle called Ragnarök, which means "the end of the world."

What is Valhalla?

Valhalla means "Hall of the Slain." It is a magnificent hall ruled by the powerful god Odin. Imagine a hall with five hundred and forty doors! The roof of Valhalla is made of shining shields, and the walls are decorated with spears. Even the benches inside are covered with breastplates, which are parts of armor.

A fierce wolf guards the western door of Valhalla, and a giant eagle flies high above it. This shows how important and protected the hall is.

Who Lives in Valhalla?

The Valkyries are Odin's special messengers and spirits of war. They fly over battlefields and choose half of the bravest heroes who have died. These chosen warriors are then brought to Valhalla. The other half of the fallen heroes go to a different hall, called Folkvang, which belongs to the goddess Freya.

The heroes who come to Valhalla are called the Einherjar. They spend their days in Valhalla training and preparing for the big battle of Ragnarök.

Preparing for Ragnarök

The Einherjar in Valhalla practice fighting every day. They get ready for the time when Ragnarök begins. When this final battle starts, an amazing sight will happen: eight hundred warriors will march out of each of Valhalla's many doors, shoulder to shoulder! They will form a huge army to fight alongside the gods against their enemies.

Images for kids

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  Walhalla (1896) by Max Brückner.

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  "Walhalla" (1905) by Emil Doepler.

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  "Hundingbane's Return to Valhal" (1912) by Ernest Wallcousins.

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  "Gylfe stood boldly before Odin" (1908) by Hamilton Wright Mabie.

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  The 7th century Tängelgårda stone depicts a figure leading a troop of warriors all bearing rings. Valknut symbols are drawn beneath his horse.

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  The Walhalla temple above the Danube near Regensburg, Germany.

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  Walhalla, Victoria, Australia township in 1910

See also

In Spanish: Valhalla para niños