Study › Runes & Norse › Svartalfheim (Nidavellir)
Svartalfheim, also called Nidavellir, is the underground world of the dwarves in Norse mythology: a realm of caves and forges where the greatest smiths of the nine worlds made the gods' treasures, Thor's hammer among them.
What is Svartalfheim?
Svartalfheim, also called Nidavellir ('the dark fields'), is the underground world of the dwarves. It is a realm of caverns, forges and stone, where the greatest smiths of the cosmos labour.
The treasures of the dwarves
From these forges came the gods' most prized treasures: Thor's hammer Mjollnir, Odin's spear Gungnir and ring Draupnir, Freyr's ship and golden boar, Sif's hair of gold, and the fetter Gleipnir that binds the wolf Fenrir. The 'dark elves' the sources sometimes mention are often taken to be the dwarves themselves, dwellers below the earth as the light elves dwell in the sky.
Ruled by: the dwarves themselves. No king is named over them.
Its forges made Mjolnir. Its opposite is Alfheim, the world of the light elves.
Questions
Is Svartalfheim the same as Nidavellir?
They are usually taken to be the same world of the dwarves. Nidavellir means "the dark fields".
Who are the dark elves?
The "dark elves" the sources mention are often taken to be the dwarves themselves.