Forgotten Giants

One of our favorite Sunday activities is to go out in search of the Forgotten Giants.  The Forgotten Giants are a series of wooden sculptures by the artist Thomas Dambo.  There are 6 of them scattered around the outskirts of Copenhagen.  They can be found in Rødovre, Hvidovre, Vallensbæk, Ishøj, Albertslund and Høje Taastrup.  All six sculptures were made from scrap wood with help from local volunteers.  They are hidden in nature, and it is really a lot of fun seeking them out!  

Using public transportation, it takes us about an hour (one-way) to get to each one.  Google Maps helps.  There is usually a beautiful hike to each one.

Teddy Friendly

Our first giant was Teddy Friendly.  Teddy Friendly is located about 50 minutes from where we live in Christianshavn. To get there, we took a train and a bus.  All of the Giants are interactive.  Teddy Friendly makes a bridge out of his arm so that you can walk over the creek.  Teddy Friendly was named after one of the volunteers who helped build him.

Teddy Friendly in Høje Taastrup

Teddy's Arm Bridge

1 Down, 5 To Go

Sleeping Louis

We went in search of Sleeping Louis when our friends Roger & Sue Crook were visiting us from Williamsburg.

A Plaque Marks Each Giant

I've been sleeping for a year and staring up when I'm in a hurry
Crawl into my stomach and join me, but I'll sniff if you snore. 
I have a big bunch of siblings but we are hidden from people. 
They call us the Forgotten Giants. 
My sister Trine sits in Hvidovre, in the field behind the hill 
where there are sheep and cows.

Sleeping with His Mouth Open

The artist found some evidence that people had been sleeping in the woods where he decided to build the sculpture.  Louis invites you to take a nap with him.  You can sleep inside his mouth!

Big Mouth

Say "Ah!" - Inside Louis' Mouth

Sleeping Louis can be found in Rødovre.  It took us about 45 minutes to get there, riding the S-Tog and a bus.  If we wanted to, we could have taken the 9A bus straight there.  But that would take an hour.

Sleeping Giant 

We're so happy that the Crooks were able to join us on this adventure.  We always have so much fun with them!

Another Adventure for NoBo

Hilltop Trine

Our third Giant, Hilltop Trine was the easiest to get to.  She's located in Hvidovre, just a bus ride away.  Meet Trine.  Isn't she gorgeous?

Hilltop Trine

The view from here is green like a dream
Come and see it for yourself and be held in my hand
I have a big bunch of siblings but we are hidden from people
They call us the Forgotten Giants
In Ishøj lives my brother Oscar under the bridge in the beach park
On the lake about a thousand meters west southwest of the Arken

Love Her Hair

He's a Handful

Hilltop Trine is located on a big hill.  Obvs.  There are sheep and cows nearby.  And this human sized hamster wheel.  

Vitruvian Man

After visiting Trine, you can go to the Circus Museum.  It's in the neighborhood.

Gorgeous Trine

Obligatory Selfie

Our next Giant excursion was a double whammy.  We visited both Thomas on the Mountain and Little Tilde in one day.

Thomas on the Mountain

My body is as tall as a flag on a pole
And I never get up early, because the day is long
I have a big bunch of siblings but we are hidden from people
They call us Vestegnens Glemte Kæmper (the Forgotten Giants)
In Høje Taastrup lives my brother Teddy, warm like the sun
He helps people over the creek to Hakkemosen

Thomas on the Mountain

I think Thomas is the most noble looking Giant.  Some people have trouble finding him, but we were lucky.  We found him right away.  He's hidden in Albertslund.

Good Looking

I'm not sure what interactive feature Thomas on the Mountain has.  He was named after an intern that worked for the artist on several of the sculptures.  That's nice.  Our next Giant was not very far at all.  Just a 20 minute hike to Little Tilde!

Little Tilde

In the woods it is nice to play hide and seek
And we can play doctor together if you find me
I have a big bunch of siblings but we are hidden from people
They call us the Forgotten Giants
My big brother Thomas lives on the kings' mountain
In Albertslund between the nettles he lies with his stomach

I'm not sure about that translation.  I took some liberties because what Google translate spit out just didn't make any sense.

Little Tilde

Little Tilde can be found in Vallensbæk Mose, just a short hike away from Thomas on the Mountain.  Her view from the woods looks across a small lake.  

The artist hid 28 little birdhouses inside Little Tilde.  Birds and possibly squirrels can find shelter there when Winter hits.

Little Tilde Has a Tail

Oscar Under the Bridge

We bagged our 6th and final Giant today!  Oscar Under the Bridge is located in Ishøj, near a beach park and the Arken Museum.  It was a beautiful day to seek out giants.

Oscar Under the Bridge

When it's noisy on my bridge
I get mad and hungry
You must tiptoe because I'm always napping like a wolf 
I have a big bunch of siblings but we are hidden from people
They call us the Forgotten Giants
My sister Tilde lives in Vallensbæk by the bog
Between fir trees on the shore, just opposite the mill

Nice Smile!

Oscar is made from scrap wood from old pallets and a torn down water mill.  He is named after a visiting artist from Chile who volunteered on the project.

We took a bus, an S-tog, a second bus and a short hike to get to Oscar.  It took a long time, but it was worth it.  After finding the Giant, we went for a swim and then had ice cream and coffee at the beach cafe!  

Tons of Jellyfish in the Water

Literally the Best Coffee in Denmark

So Happy We Found All 6

We have had so much fun seeking out these Giants.  I highly recommend it.  I've read that some people tackle all 6 giants in one day.  I think it's better to see them one at a time.  Each one deserves to be appreciated on its own.  Here is a map showing the location of each Giant.  

Location of 6 Forgotten Giants

For more information about the Forgotten Giants, go to Thomas Dambo's website http://thomasdambo.com/works/forgotten-giants/

Where to next?  På gensyn!