Helvete

See also: helvete, helvète, and Helvète

Norwegian

Proper noun

Helvete

1. a gorge located in the valley of Espedalen in Sør-Fron and Gausdal municipalities

From the time when mining industry was existent in Espedalen; coined as a result of the hardships involved when crossing the valley with horse and sleigh, thereby making it a "hell". A local folk tale also claims that a priest who was visiting the valley once stated that (Norwegian Nynorsk): No er eg visst den einaste presten i Noregs land som kan seie han har vore i Helvete, og som har sloppe heil-skinna ut att. ("Now I am probably the only priest in the lands of Norway who can say that he has been in Hell, and has escaped it safe and sound.").

References

• website describing the valley