In the Norwegian fairytale house in Krøderen, Villa Fridheim is said to be haunted by its former mistress, still running things her way as she did in life.
Rising like a fairy tale vision along the shores of Krøderen, Villa Fridheim is often called Soria Moria in wood and paint. Its towers, carved details, and storybook halls draw visitors into a world shaped by Norwegian folklore.
Read More: Check out all ghost stories from Norway
Those staying at the house long enough often sense that the museum is more than a collection of fairytale artifacts. There is a persistent feeling of not being entirely alone.
The House of Fairytales
Villa Fridheim is a Swiss-style building with elements of national romanticism and dragon style on Bjørøya in Krødsherad, built in 1890–1892 by Lumber merchant Svend Haug. Villa Fridheim was intended to serve as a country home for the lumber merchant and his wife Thea (née Sveaas). When the builder himself died in the middle of the construction work in 1891, it was the widow Thea Haug who completed the work. She then moved here permanently and used it as a home for herself and her children.
After several years, the family converted the place into a hotel, but it was soon sold out of the family. The hotel was in operation from 1914 to 1960. After that, the house was left empty and dilapidated. After many years of decay, there were plans for the building to be burned down as part of a fire drill.
It currently houses the Villa Fridheim Fairy Tale Museum , which is mainly associated with Asbjørnsen and Moe’s work as collectors, storytellers and publishers of fairy tales.
A House That Never Sleeps
Guests and staff have spoken quietly of sounds echoing through the servant wing after hours. Furniture seems to scrape across floors where no one walks. Doors creak open and close on their own, as if someone unseen is still making her nightly rounds.
There are many different claims to who is haunting the place. In a book that used to be in the house, people wrote down strange occurrences they experienced. One of them was about a little boy in the cafe who vanished into thin air right before them.
On the fourth floor, some claim to have seen children at play, a little girl. She was dressed in old fashioned clothing, running and laughing among the shadows before vanishing as suddenly as they appeared. No footsteps follow them, and no voices remain once they are gone.
From the attic, a sound, almost like an audiotape playing at high speed is heard.
The Woman in Black
Most striking of all is the figure seen in the main hall. Visitors have described a woman wearing a long black dress, her appearance belonging to another century. She moves calmly through the space, observing rather than frightening, her presence quiet but unmistakable.
According to local tradition, this is the spirit of Thea Haug, the first lady of the house. In life, she was known for her discipline and order, ensuring that Villa Fridheim ran smoothly and with dignity. She died in 1924, when she was 85 years old. In death, it seems she has not entirely relinquished her role.
When she is not satisfied, the ghost slams the doors, it is said. According to legends, she didn’t treat her staff particularly well. Although, some say that when she retired and went back to Drammen, a feast was held in her honor, and she was given gifts by the locals for all her effort and hospitality. Mostly in written form, she was remembered as a person with a big heart.
It is also said that her daughter, (maybe named Rilda), was hidden away in the tower room when she got syphilis and turned mad. This is also one of those tales that doesn’t have much proof, as their daughters don’t have as much information about them as their sons.
A German tourist once staying there came down from the second floor and talked with the staff. “So festive that the staff wear old costumes,” she said after having seen a woman wearing a black dress from another century. The staff all wore jeans and t-shirts.
A TV-series called Soria Moria was recorded at the hotel in the early 2000s about the fictional ghost of a nazi soldier. One day all the images from a Polaroid camera to keep track of continuity were strange. All of them were marked by a shadow that looked like a female figure in a long skirt.
A Watchful Housekeeper
Those who work at the museum believe that Thea Haug still watches over the building’s forty rooms. If she senses carelessness or neglect, doors may slam sharply as a warning. It is not seen as malice, but as correction, the firm reminder of a housekeeper who expects standards to be upheld.
Despite the strange occurrences, no one speaks of cleansing the house of its ghost. The presence causes no harm, and many feel it adds depth to the living history of Villa Fridheim. The husfrue is considered part of the story, woven into the walls as surely as the carved dragons and fairy tale motifs.
At Villa Fridheim, it is said that being a house ghost is a good existence. The Lady of Soria Moria still keeps watch, ensuring that her enchanted home remains just as it should be.
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References:
FLERE GJENFERD SOM OGSÅ VILLE VÆRE MED – Issuu
Det spøker på Villa Fridheim – DigitaltMuseum
Villa Fridheim – Eventyrmuseet, WW2 , Åndelig akivitet
Fredheim På Bjørøya I Krødsherad – Historier.no
Fru Thea Haug – nekrolog | Eiker Arkiv