Move over Thor.
Two brothers with an affinity for Scandinavian history transform their woodland property in Montana into a Scandinavian oasis where they live as Vikings.
Andy and Nick Bertrand, two construction workers with braided beards and tunics, sit atop a handmade throne that will one day be the center of their fantasy village, or what they call “Valhalla.” I am.
“Our father sometimes asks if we can grow from this stage,” Andy told the Flathead Beacon In an interview.
“And I always think, 'I'm all grown up, I'm in an adult stage of my life, and it's only going to get more and more like this.'”
The twins, owners of Bertrand Brothers Landscaping & Construction, are putting their craftsmanship to the test as they construct dozens of Viking-style buildings on their 30-acre property.
Once completed, Valhalla will feature a large mead hall, stone runes and carved artifacts, as well as several Scandinavian-style huts for short-term rentals.
Andy and Nick told the publication that their goal was to host Celtic festivals throughout the year.
The village is also intertwined with modern interpretations of the Middle Ages. John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, a self-proclaimed nerd who shares a birthday with Bilbo and Frodo Baggins, designates a space on the property for a Hobbiton-style underground house. .
“It would be fun to share that with everyone and create a place where people can really immerse themselves in Scandinavian and Viking culture. We're aiming for a completely immersive experience that takes you one step away from the modern world.” Nick says.
The twins estimate that it will take 10 years for their “lifelong project” to come to fruition.
Tall wooden thrones sitting side by side are so far the only structures erected on this vast site, carved with fox pelts, Viking helmets, warrior axes and Celtic knots. It is surrounded by skulls of various animals.
“We never just live in the modern world,” Andy said. “That's not interesting enough for us.”
