Sjuguttsteinen

The Seven Boys Stone

Out on "Sjuguttmyra", a marsh between Storstilen and Steinstilen, there is a large boulder, called "Sjuguttsteinen" - The Seven Boys Stone. According to an old legend, it is the site of an argument over pasture rights between seven shepherd boys. To reach an agreement, they decided to fight a duel. As weapons they chose juniper twigs which they cut an placed in the sunshine to dry until they were as hard as bone. On the day of the duel, they met on the marsh. One of the boys was chosen leader of the fight. His name was Zacharias, and he was the oldest of the boys. The fought three against three, and soon the situation got out of hand. All except one were killed, and he accused Zacharias of being a bad commander. Soon they too were fighting for their lives. Zacharias was the weakest and was killed. The legend says that the surviving shepherd boy came crawling out to Steinstilen with his guts wrapped in his shirt tails. He eventually died there from his injuries.

Photo: Rune Anderson

Follow the signs to Sjusjøen and continue past Kuåsen and Elgåsen to the crossroads at Storstilen. Turn right towards Ljøsheim. On the left before Steinstilen the stone is easily spotted close to the road.