#torun old town

[airporttransfergdansk]

Explore seamless travel with Elite Airport Taxi Gdańsk! 🚖✈️ Our dedicated airport transfer service ensures a smooth journey to and from Toruń to Gdańsk Airport. Count on us for punctuality, comfort, and reliability. Your hassle-free travel experience begins with Elite Airport Taxi Gdańsk. Book your ride today!

[allthingseurope]

Torun, Poland (By Fran Capparos)

[paramedicabroad]

Medieval Town of Torun

Embark with me on a virtual journey through the cobbled streets and Gothic splendor of Toruń, a UNESCO World Heritage Site nestled along the Vistula River in Poland. This medieval gem invites you to wander through its well-preserved architecture, savor the sweetness of its culinary traditions, and immerse yourself in the magic of a town frozen in time.

Toruń earned UNESCO recognition in 1997, highlighting its exceptional cultural and historical value. The inscription celebrates the town's well-preserved medieval architecture and its role as a center of trade and science.

Begin your exploration in the heart of Toruń's Old Town, where Gothic architecture reigns supreme. The majestic Town Hall, adorned with intricate detailing, and the leaning medieval walls transport you back to a bygone era of knights and merchants.

Pay homage to Toruń's most illustrious son, Nicolaus Copernicus, the pioneering astronomer. Visit his birthplace, now a museum, and stand in awe of the achievements of the man who reshaped our understanding of the cosmos.

Explore the remnants of the medieval Toruń Fortress, which once protected the town from external threats. The defensive walls and watchtowers bear witness to Toruń's strategic importance in the Middle Ages.

Stroll along the banks of the Vistula River, where the medieval panorama of Toruń is reflected in the tranquil waters. The riverside provides a picturesque backdrop to the town's historic skyline.

Indulge in Toruń's famed gingerbread, a sweet treat that has been crafted according to traditional recipes for centuries. Visit a local bakery to witness the artistry behind these delectable confections.

Enter the solemn halls of Toruń Cathedral, a Gothic masterpiece that has witnessed centuries of history. The cathedral's awe-inspiring interior and sacred ambiance make it a spiritual cornerstone of the town.

Experience the living history of Toruń through its annual medieval festivals. These events bring the past to life with costumed reenactments, jousting tournaments, and a vibrant marketplace, creating a festive atmosphere in the heart of the town.

In conclusion, Toruń invites us to step into a medieval fairy tale, where every cobblestone has a story to tell and every Gothic arch whispers secrets of the past. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it stands as a testament to Poland's rich cultural heritage. When you're ready for a digital odyssey through time, Toruń promises to captivate and transport you to an era of knights, scholars, and medieval allure. 🏰🇵🇱✨

[gokitetour]

Top 5 unique facts about Poland that nobody knows

Poland is a fascinating nation that unites Eastern and Western Europe and offers a wealth of cultural diversity, historical sites and scenic landscapes. Poland is a unique tourist destination due to its diverse terrain and moderate temperature. Poland stretches from the Baltic Sea in the north to the Sudetes and Carpathian Mountains in the south. Poland's main cities, Warsaw, Krakow, Wroclaw, Lodz, Poznan, and Gdansk as well as smaller important cities, highlight the country's vibrant urban life and attractive historical architecture. Getting a Poland visa is the first step for anyone thinking about visiting this fascinating country.

Situated in the center of the plains of Northern Europe Poland boasts a rich historical legacy spanning more than a thousand years. The tenacious Polish people have managed to hold onto their cultural identity in spite of many obstacles faced throughout their history. Poland is currently the biggest of the former Eastern European states and one of the EU's most populous members. Poland is a crucial participant on the European scene because of its enduring spirit and strategic importance. Here, we share five interesting facts about Poland that are sometimes missed, giving readers a better understanding of this amazing nation.

Here are the Top 5 unique facts about Poland that nobody knows:

1. Polish Individuals Think Forward:

A lengthy line of intellectual and scientific accomplishments in Poland may be traced back to individuals like Nicolaus Copernicus. Copernicus who is renowned for establishing the heliocentric model of the solar system and demonstrating that the Earth revolves around the Sun dramatically altered our conception of the cosmos. Cities like Torun and Frombork where he carried out a great deal of his work and had a lasting impression on the scientific world, are good places to investigate his legacy.

The memory of Maria Curie Skłodowska the only individual to win two Nobel Prizes in distinct scientific disciplines physics and chemistry also serves as an inspiration for Polish youth. In addition to advancing science her important research on radioactivity cleared the path for women in academia. To her credit Curie-Skłodowska was also one of the first women in history to receive a driver's license, a testament to the progressive nature of Poland's progressive people.

2. Name Days Are Celebrated by Poles Often:

Name days or imieniny are frequently commemorated in Poland with just as much fervour as birthdays. Every Polish name has a corresponding day of the year usually associated with a Catholic saint's feast day. This custom which has its roots in Polish culture, offers more reasons to celebrate and get together with others.

Traditionally, friends and family join together to celebrate name day by sharing a meal, exchanging little gifts, and spending time together. Polish society places a high value on familial and communal ties, and this tradition adds a distinctive cultural element that distinguishes Poland from many other nations. Obtaining a Poland visa will enable you to participate in these distinctive festivities if you intend to travel to Poland.

3. The World's Biggest Castle Is in Poland:

The largest castle in the world by land area is the Castle of the Teutonic Order in Malbork. Constructed as a Teutonic fortress in the thirteenth century this magnificent building is currently recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a must-visit location for history buffs and architecture fans alike because of its expansive grounds, exquisite architecture, and historical significance.

One of Poland's fifteen UNESCO World Heritage Sites Malbork Castle reflects the nation's rich cultural legacy and historical significance. The UNESCO sites in Poland, which range from the ancient Białowieża Forest to the medieval Old Town of Krakow, provide tourists with a wide range of experiences. You experience Poland's rich history and see these amazing sites, be sure you obtain your Poland visa.

4. Poland Is Identified Following an Old Slavic Tribe:

The Western Slavic tribe known as Polanie is whence the term "Poland" originates, meaning "people living in open fields." The Polish nation was founded when this tribe arrived in the area in the sixth century. Understanding Poland's beginnings and the formation of its national identity requires an understanding of the history and culture of the Polanie tribe. Poland has remained connected to its historical heritage over the ages, even as it has developed into a contemporary European country. The nation's celebrations, rituals, and everyday existence all reflect this blending of tradition and modernity. You can see directly how the Polanie tribe's past continues to shape modern Polish culture by traveling to Poland.

5. One of Europe's Most Religious Nations is Poland:

Polish society places a high value on religion with Catholicism being the most common religion. Poland has a large number of Catholic radio and TV stations which reflects the pervasiveness of religion in daily life. Poland lacks a rigid separation of religion and state in contrast to many other European nations which highlights the significance of faith in the country's social and cultural fabric.

Rising higher than even Rio de Janeiro's Christ the Redeemer the imposing monument of Jesus Christ in Świebodzin is one of the most outstanding representations of Poland's religious devotion. This enormous statue honours Poland's rich religious history and the people's unwavering faith. You can investigate these holy sites and learn more about Poland's spiritual landscape by traveling there with a Poland visa.

Conclusion:

Poland is an interesting tourist destination because of its distinctive blend of rich history, cultural traditions and forward-thinking energy. Poland provides a multitude of experiences that represent its unique background, from the beloved custom of name day festivities to the ground-breaking scientific accomplishments of individuals such as Nicolaus Copernicus and Maria Curie-Skłodowska. The nation's striking monuments, such the tallest Jesus Christ statue in Świebodzin and the largest castle in the world in Malbork, emphasize its historical and religious significance even more. By examining these aspects of Poland, one might have a better understanding of the country's resilient populace and enduring cultural identity.

There is much to discover in Poland, whether you are drawn to its historical landmarks, lively cultural traditions, or breath taking natural surroundings. Getting a Poland visa lets you into a country full with incredible tales and noteworthy accomplishments. Every trip to Poland is guaranteed to unveil fresh and distinctive facets of this diverse nation making for an amazing vacation experience. Make travel plans now and explore the fascinating and hospitable country of Poland.

[dokuzadaiyuho]

Nicolaus Copernicus Monument

[cassphotos]

My favourite place on earth

[beckhausphoto]

Toruń, Poland July 2017

[therealuniverse]

NICOLAUS COPERNICUS Nicolaus Copernicus was an astronomer and cosmologist during the Renaissance era. His name has been transliterated from the original Polish (Mikolaj Kopernik) to German (Nikolaus Kopernikus), Italian (Nicolo Copernico), and English. Copernicus is best known for his heliocentric theory, which placed the Sun at the center of the Universe with the planets and stars orbiting around it. His theory was first published in De Revolutionibus Orbium Coelestium (English: On The Revolutions Of The Celestial Spheres) and is sometimes regarded as the birth of modern astronomy.

Copernicus was born on February 19, 1473 in Torun, Royal Prussia, in the Kingdom of Poland, 171 km south of Gdansk. Some have postulated that the name “Copernicus” may have been generated from the copper mining industry in the Silesian region of modern-day Poland and Hungary, though it may have come from the dill plant (Polish: koper) which is native to the region. He spoke Latin, German, Polish, Greek and Italian, though most of his surviving works are in Latin. However, Copernicus was born in a region where German was the predominantly spoken language, and while he studied at Bologna was a member of a student organization for people whose native language was German. So while it is plausible that Copernicus's primary language was German, he probably considered himself ethnically Polish. Copernicus studied astronomy and mathematics at the University of Krakow in Poland from 1491-1492, and continued studying astronomy and physics in Bologna, Italy from 1496-1501. During this time he familiarized himself with Ptolemy's Handy Tables, which gives data necessary for calculating the positions of the Sun and the Moon in the sky at different times of the year. Using these Handy Tables and making his own observations of the movement of celestial objects, Copernicus theorized that the Earth was not at the center of the Universe, as was commonly accepted at the time. Before 1514, Copernicus wrote an outline for his book De Revolutionibus Orbium Coelestium. Surviving transcripts of this outline suggest that it had a working title of Nicolai Copernici de hypothesibus motuum coelestium a se constitutis commentariolus. In it, Copernicus seems to come to several conclusions: all celestial objects do not orbit around a single point in the sky; the gravitational center of the Earth is the gravitational center of the Moon's orbit; the Sun is the center of the Universe, not the Earth; the distance from the Earth to the Sun is much smaller than the distance from the Earth to the stars; the stars have fixed positions in the sky; and the Earth revolves around the Sun. Although this outline was not meant for publication, some copies made it into the hands of Copernicus' colleagues. It is often said that Copernicus' theory was regarded as blasphemy by the church; however, Pope Clement VII actually took interest in heliocentrism. Around 200 BCE, Aristarchus of Samos developed a theory which placed the Sun at the center of the Universe with the Earth orbiting around it. In Aristarchus' time, only Seleucus of Seleucia supported heliocentrism a century later. Aristarchus' theory died with him in 230 BCE. Thus, while Copernicus was not the first to develop the theory that the Earth revolves around the Sun, he successfully revived it. Many of Aristarchus' calculations, while correct, were unprovable at the time because of limited resources and technology. However, Copernicus was able to use the technology of his time to prove Aristarchus' theory. Only mild controversy sprouted within the church as a result of the publication of Copernicus' theory as scientific fact. The censor of the Catholic Church in the 1500s, Bartolomeo Spina, and his successor, Giovanni Maria Tolosani, both publicly condemned Copernicus' theory. However, the Catholic church did not take official action against heliocentrism until some sixty years later. Reasons for this have been hotly debated, and one of the conclusions often come to is that Galileo Galilei, himself a Catholic, was able to verify Copernicus' observations using the telescope. Copernicus died in Frombork, Poland on May 24, 1543. Legend has it that the final printed version of his book, De Revolutionibus Orbium Coelestium, was placed in his hands moments before he died. Copernicus had supposedly fallen into a coma induced by a stroke, and came out of the coma the very day of his death. He was reported to have been buried in Frombork Cathedral, but archaeological searches for Copernicus's remains in 1802, 1909, 1939 and 2004 yielded no results. In August 2004, an archaeological team from Pultusk, Poland located what they believe to be Copernicus's remains beneath the floor of the cathedral. The discovery was announced in 2008, after a broken nose and scarred eyebrow on the skeleton was matched to a self-portrait, and DNA found in the grave matched DNA found on an original manuscript known to have been extensively handled by Copernicus. In May 2010, Copernicus was given a proper burial at St James' Cathedral Basilica in Olsztyn, Poland where he remains today. -R. Atkinson Image: Portrait of Copernicus, c. 1580 (Source: Torun Old Town City Hall/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/the-body-of-copernicus-is-identified-2620755/). A computerized image of Copernicus generated from his remains can be seen here: http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/tech/science/discoveries/2005-11-03-copernicus-grave_x.htm. Sources: http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/copernicus/ http://scienceworld.wolfram.com/biography/Copernicus.html http://www.geo.utexas.edu/courses/302d/Fall_2011/Full%20text%20-%20Nicholas%20Copernicus,%20_De%20Revolutionibus%20(On%20the%20Revolutions),_%201.pdf

[landfillers]

Instructions

The old woman Astrid was seen yesterday putting up yet another note on the community bulletin board next to the grocery store. Witnesses waiting outside Dinos Pizza across the road can confirm that she tore down and crumbled not one, but two sheets of paper from the board and tossed them in the bin to make room for her own one. One witness, Stefan, stepfather to the Lark twins, who we all know live in the shed just behind the hardware store since those arguments with missus Lark and who wishes to remain anonymous, rummaged through the bin after the event and could confirm that one of the paper was indeed a public announcement from what appear to be the town hall, or at least that’s what the witness thought since the ink was in that dark rusty shade of red that we all have grown to fear. Though the witness, Stefan, said they couldn’t be entirely sure since the writing was smudged and somewhat fading. The note had probably been up there since before the snowfall and we all know how bad Stefan’s eyesight has become since that tragic accident four years ago. The other note, on the other hand, Stefan the witness was sure was an advertisement for Sylvester’s Power Pilates classes, which we all know Astrid has not been attending. 

After the event, Astrid was seen stomping away, muttering a harsh “blessed evening” to our witness Stefan through her yellow gritted teeth, before disappearing up the road to the parish house. Our witness Stefan regrets to inform us that he did in fact not read what was said on Astrid’s note, since his pizza was ready, and he didn’t want to stand in the cold trying to decipher Astrid’s shaky handwriting as if he didn’t have better things to do. Some witness you are, Stefan.

We therefore unfortunately have to wait until Torun closes the grocery store at the end of her shift and pass the community board on her usual way to the dumpsters to get more information concerning the note. Torun is, for those who are unaware, Astrid’s grandchild and an expert in interpreting her writings, since she has has done so since she was a little girl. Torun has also, I regret to inform you, been known to keep secrets.

Not harmful ones, of course, but secrets nontheless. It is as if she believes that her connection to Astrid might in some way put her above the principles we all live and abide by. There has also come to light that Torun has, on several occasions, gone not straight home after her night shifts but instead up to the empty loft above the grocery store. Passersby has reported seeing a faint glow from inside the dirty window, sensed the smell of something burning, and heard laughter. Torun has also, on two instances, been seen wandering up the dirt road towards the ridge. When confronted, Torun has claimed to have been following somebody, but never being able to give the name of this person or describe its appearance.

There has been a follow up on the subject of Astrid’s note. Bo, and we all know Bo, passed the bulletin board on his evening run and somehow managed to scramble out the content of her wobbly letters. Apparently, Astrid has instructed that townsfolk over the age of fifteen to gather in the chapel tonight at 3am. Shoes are, as per usual, optional. Attendance is not. Mute and menstruating townsfolk are instructed to remain at home. So there you have it folks. I hope to see each and every one of you later tonight. And I guess that Torun will, once again, not be accompanying us. A Blessed evening to you all.

[architecturalshitpost]

Noting similarities during my arch history class

Darmstadt Artists’ Colony, Germany, 1908 (Wedding Tower + sundial)

Torun Old Town, Poland, c15 (Copernicus House + St Johns Cathedral)

[steellegacy]

Church of the Holy Spirit, Old Town, Torun

Poland ⛪

[painoa]

The statue of a rafter with frogs is situated in the heart of the Old Town, in the Old Town Square, between the Old Town Hall and the post-office building. The statue of the Rafter refers to a legend about a plague of frogs which attacked Toruń centuries ago. The frogs, as the chroniclers reminisce, were once everywhere: in the bedding, wardrobes, attics and caused great discomfort to the citizens of Toruń. The mayor, trying to face the frog problem, announced that the person who would free the town from the huge number of frogs would receive a generous award. There were many daredevils. Some tried to chase the frogs away, some put them in bags and took them outside town, however, none of them succeeded. One day a young rafter started playing rafter melodies on the violin being terribly out of tune. The frogs liked the strange music so much that they started to gather around the young man. The rafter, still playing the violin, led the frogs out of the town where there were swamps and ponds. In relation to this event in the centre of town there is a statue of the legendary rafter playing the violin and eight listening frogs around him. One needs to stroke them gently and think of a wish and it will surely come true. #toruń #poland #poland🇵🇱 #loves_poland #travelphotography #travelphotography #travelgram #frog # (at Torun, Poland) https://www.instagram.com/p/Chgz3_Dj08P/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[biketripmaramel]

45th day (4th of June) We left at 10 in the morning to go biking to Torun. Alex actually invited uf for a bike trip to a lake with some friends. Sadly it was exactly the wrong direction for going to our next stop. We were really tempted but the Schengen visum for Mel was the reason why we eventually decided against it. It was a beautiful day and only 50 km to torun. The bike way was probably one of the best we biked since entering Poland. There was a bike lane almost the complete way and before Torun the bike lane was guiding through a forest. The only time we had a better way (but only for max 5 km) was after leaving Katowice - there it was "highway": 2 lanes for each direction. We arrived at 3 pm and checked into the Hostel orange plus. Mel waited with the bikes and Mara checked in. Mara was lacking concentration while checking in. The price was 79.60 zlotys. She gave the receptionist a 100 bill and told him to keep the change (actually meant to keep the change for 80 zlotys and to receive 20 back). The receptionist was so happy, told that it had never happened to him before, even asked if she was sure about it. As she said yes he replied that means everything to a student like him. She was so surprised about his reaction and didn't realize her communication mistake and also that she didn't receive the 20 zlotys back. She only thought of what a cut reaction she provoked with something small as 0.4 zlotys tip. About half our later she noticed about the missing 20 zlotys. Well, probably normal reaction time for somebody of Bern? However sometimes Mistakes are also worth more than doing things as planned - here definitely the case. After a shower we went sightseeing: we liked Toruń even a bit more than Bydgoszcz. It has a marvelous old town and vibrant vibe. The old city wall goes quite a long way along the Vistula-River. We visited the leaning tower of Toruń, ate a delicious duck in a polish restaurant and walked through the lanes of the town. We also wanted to buy the specialty of Torun: gingerbread. However it was with 20 zlotys overpriced and Mara was not ready for another disappointment as in Poznan with the croissant. https://www.instagram.com/p/CejEkGnIpo0bx6TUWnT9hACjygAeogZRdrH2uE0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[styleontheside]

It was cold and rainy but I still love the old town squares. 😀 . . . (at Torun, Poland) https://www.instagram.com/p/CSJsNNIr9Xm/?utm_medium=tumblr

[wiedzmina-blog]

Norwegian / old norse names and places

Every now and then I come across a book, movie, TV-series, fanfic, game or whatever, that mention a fictional "Norwegian" or "norse" place or person, and it just sounds so wrong it makes me either cringe or ROFL. Really. I still haven't recovered from the 1995 X-files episode, "Død Kalm", which took us to the port of "Tildeskan" where we met "Henry Trondheim", "Halverson" and "Olafsson".  Hopefully this list will keep others from being that “creative” with names. :)

Common names for places, towns and villages in Norway

These names are very generic and suitable for a place, village or town anywhere (and pretty much any time) in Norway. Mix and match prefixes with suffixes for diversity.  Bonus: All of these can also be used as surnames. Name (meaning) - usage

Nes (headland, cape, ness) - Standalone ​ Bø (fenced-in field on a farm) - Standalone Fjell (mountain) -  Standalone or prefix/suffix: Fjell- / -fjell Haug (small hill / large mound)  -  Standalone or prefix/suffix: Haug- / -haug Vik, Viken, Vika (inlet, the inlet, the inlet) -  Standalone or prefix/suffix: Vik- / -viken / -vika Ås, Åsen (hill, the hill (larger than "Bakken")) - Standalone or prefix/suffix: ​ Dal, Dalen (valley, the valley) - Standalone or prefix/suffix: ​ Berg (small mountain) - Standalone or prefix/suffix: Berg(s)- / -berg Sand (sand) - Standalone or prefix/suffix: Sand- / -sand Strand (beach) -  Standalone or prefix/suffix: Strand- / -strand Li (hill) -  Standalone or prefix/suffix: Li- / -li Gran (spruce) -  Standalone or prefix: Gran- Bratt (steep) - prefix only: Bratt- Myr (bog, mire) - prefix only: Myr- Neset, Nesset (the headland, the cape, the ness) - Standalone or suffix: ​-neset / -nesset Odden (foreland, headland) - Standalone or suffix: ​ -odden Våg (cove, bay) - Standalone or suffix: -våg Lund (grove) - Standalone or suffix: -lund Sund (sound, strait) -  Standalone or suffix:  -sund Skog (forest) prefix/suffix: Skog- / -skog Øy (island) prefix/suffix: Øy- / -øy øya (the island) - suffix only: ​ -øya bakken  (the hill) - suffix only: -bakken  gard / gård / gården (farm / farm / the farm) - suffix only: -gard / -gård / -gården elv, -elva (river, the river) suffix only: -elv / -elva stad (old word for town/place) suffix only: -stad vannet (the lake) - suffix only: -vannet

Common words that can be used as prefix to any of the suffixes above Svart- (black)  Lille- (little/small)  Sol- (sun)  Brei-/Bred- (wide)  Stor- (big) Lang- (long)

Common Norwegian surnames (contemporary)

Heredatory surnames didn't become mandatory in Norway until 1923. Many took the name from the farm or place they lived, or just changed their primary patronyms into hereditary patronyms. Example: Helgessønn/Helgesdatter (son of Helge / daughter of Helge) became Helgesen.

Alm Andersen Anderssen Antonsen Aspelund Bakke Bakken Bang Berg Bjerkan Bråthen Christensen Corneliussen Dahl Dahlberg Danielsen Dyrnes Dørum Eide Ellingsen Erdal Eriksen Falch Fredriksen Foss Fure Fylling Gabrielsen Gran Grønning Halvorsen Hansen Hanssen Hay Hoff Holm Holt Husby Isaksen Iversen Jacobsen Jensen Jenssen Johansen Karlsen Klausen Konradsen Kristensen Kristiansen Larsen Larssen Lie Lien Lund Løvold Magnussen Meyer Mikalsen Mo Moen Myhre Myklebust Mørk Ness Nilsen Olavsen Olsen Paulsen Pettersen Prestegård Rasmussen Riise Rogstad Ruud Simonsen Solbakken Solli Stokke Strøm Sund Svendsen Thorvaldsen Torp Thune Tønnesen Ueland Ulven Urdal Vik Vinje Wahl Wik Wilhelmsen Zakariassen Ødegård Årseth Årvik Ås, Aas Åsen, Aasen

Common Norwegian names -- 1980 - present

Men

Anders André Andreas Are Arne Atle Bjørn Cato Chris Christian, Kristian Christoffer, Kristoffer Daniel David Dennis Elias Emil Espen Erik, Eric Eirik Fredrik Filip Geir Harald Helge Hans Henning Håkon, Haakon Håvard Isak Jan Joachim Johan Johannes John, Jon Johnny Jonas Jonathan Kim Kristian, Christian Kristoffer, Christoffer Lars Lucas, Lukas Mads, Mats Magnus Martin Michael, Mikael Morten Niklas Nils Odin Ole Ove Paul Per Peter, Petter Preben Pål Richard, Rikard Roger Sebastian Simen Simon Sindre Sondre Stian Terje Thomas Thor, Tor Thore, Tore Vegard Werner William Øystein Åge Åsmund

Women

Andrea Ane, Anne Anette, Annette Annika, Anniken Astrid Bente Camilla Carina Cathrine Celine Charlotte Christin, Kristin Christina, Kristina Christine, Kristine Elin, Eline Elise Elisabeth Emilie Eva Frida Grete, Grethe Hanne Hege Heidi Helene Hilde Ida Ine Ingrid Ingvill, Ingvild Isabel, Isabell, Isabelle Iselin Jannicke Janine Jeanette Jennie, Jenny Julia, Julie Karoline (Kine) Katrin, Katrine Kristin, Christin Lea, Leah Lena, Lene Linda Line Linn Linnea Lise, Lisa Liv, Live Mai, May Maja Malin Margrete, Margrethe Mari, Maria, Marie Mariann, Marianne Marte, Marthe Mette Monica Nina Nora Oda Pia Ragnhild Randi Rikke Sara, Sarah Silje Siv Stina, Stine Susann, Susanne Tanja Tina, Tine Tiril Tone Trine Vilde Vera Veronica Wenche Åse Åshild

Common Norwegian names - 1800 - 1980

Men Aksel Albert Anders Andreas Anker Ansgar Arne Arnt Arve Asle Atle Birger Bård Charles Edmund Edvard Egon Erling Even Fred Fredrik Frode Geir Georg Gunnar Gunvald Gustav Harald Helge Hilmar Håkon, Haakon Ivar Ingvar Jens Jesper Jørgen Joakim Karl Karsten, Karstein Kjell Klaus Kolbein Kolbjørn Kristian Kåre Lars Lavrans Leif Lossius Ludvig Magne Magnus Nikolai Nils Odd Oddvar Odin Ola Olai Olaf Olav Ole Omar Oscar, Oskar Peder Per Petter Philip, Phillip Pål Ragnar Rikard Roald Roar (also Hroar) Rolf Rune Sigurd Sigvard, Sigvart Simon Svein Sverre Tarjei Terje Toralf, Thoralf Torbjørn, Thorbjørn Torleif, Thorleif Torstein, Thorstein Torvald, Thorvald Trond Ulf Ulrik Valdemar Wilhelm Willy Åge

Women

Albertine Alice, Alise Alma Anita Anna Annbjørg Asbjørg Astrid Aud Bente Berit Birgit Birgitte Bjørg Bjørgun Bodil Borghild Dagny Dagrun Edel Ella Ellen Elsa Fredrikke Frida Gerd Gjertrud Gunhild Gyda Hanna, Hannah Helga Henny Herdis Hilda Hilde Hjørdis Ingeborg Inger Irene Johanna, Johanne Jorun, Jorunn Josefine Judith Kari Karin Kirsten Kitty Kjersti Laila Lilli, Lilly Lisa, Lise Liv Lovise Mathilde Margaret Marit Martha Molly Nanna Oddrun Oddveig Olga Ragna Ragnhild Rigmor Sara Signe Sissel Solbjørg Solveig Solvår Svanhild Sylvi Sølvi Tora Torhild, Toril, Torill Torun, Torunn Tove Valborg Ylva Åse Åshild

Names usage Double names, like Ragnhild Johanne or Ole Martin are common in Norway. Just keep them as two names and don't use "-", and you'll be safe, even if it ends up a tongue twister. Using only one of two given names is also common practice.

In Norway everyone is on a first name basis. Students call teachers and other kids' parents by their first name, workers call their boss by their first name, we call our Prime Minister by her first name (journalists will use her title when speaking to her though). Some senior citizens still use surnames and titles when speaking of or to  people their own age.

There are some exceptions. For example, a doctor may be referred to as Dr. Lastname when we speak of them, but first name is used when speaking to them. A priest is "the priest" when speaking of him/her and their first name is used when spaking to them. In the millitary only surnames (and ranks) are used. If you meet Harald, the King of Norway, in an official setting you will refer to him as "Kongen" (the king). If you run into him at the gas station, or while hiking, he is "Harald".

If you don't know someone's name it is okay to use their title, or just say "you".

Names for pets (contemporary)

Dogs Laika (f) Bamse (m) (bear) Tinka (f) Loke/Loki (m) + characters from TV/film/books...

Cats Melis (m/f) (powdered sugar) Mango (m/f) (mango) Pus (f) (kitty) Mons (m) (tomcat) Nala (f) Pusur (m) (Garfield) Felix (m)  Simba (m) + characters from TV/film/books...

Horses Pajazz (m) Mulan (f) Balder (m) - cold blood Kompis (m) (pal) Freya (f) - cold blood + characters from TV/film/books...

Rabbits Trampe (m) (Thumper) Trulte (f) + characters from TV/film/books...

Cows (yes, I am serious) Dagros Rosa Mira Luna Sara + characters from TV/film - Disney is popular, as are the Kardashians :)

Road and street names

Storgata (usually the main street) Kongens gate (the king's street) Dronningens gate (the queen's street) Jernbanegata (railroad street) Jernbaneveien (railroad road) Sjøgata (ocean street) Sjøveien, Sjøvegen (ocean road) Skolegata (school street) Torvgata (plaza street) Industrigata (industrial street) Industriveien (industrial road)

Prefixes Blåbær- (blueberry) Bringebær- (raspberry) Bjørke- (birch) Aspe- (asp) Kastanje- (chestnut) Solsikke- (sun flower) Blåklokke- (blue bell) Nype- (rosehip) Kirke- (church) Park- (park)

Suffixes -veien, -vegen (the road)  -stien (the path)

Other Torvet (the plaza) - standalone or suffix: -torvet Havna (the port) - standalone or suffix: -havna Kaia (the port) - standalone or suffix: -kaia

Safe solution: use a first name or surname as prefix.

Old norse

Men’s names Agnarr (Agnar) Alfr (Alf) Ámundi (Amund) Ánarr Árngrimr (Arngrim) Askr (Ask) Auðun (Audun) Baldr (Balder) Beinir ​Bjørn Burr Borkr Dagfinnr (Dagfinn) Davið (David) Drengr Durinn Einarr (Einar) Eirikr (Eirik) Eivindr (Eivind) Erlingr (Erling) Fafnir Flóki Freyr (Frey) Fuldarr Galinn Gautarr (Gaute) Gegnir Geirr (Geir) Glóinn Grímarr (Grimar) Hafli Hakon Hallsteinn (Hallstein) Haraldr (Harald) Haukr (Hauk) Heðinn (Hedin, Hedinn) Helgi (Helge) Hrafn, Hrafni (Ravn) Hrafnkell (Ravnkjell) Iarl (Jarl) Ingolfr (Ingolf) Iuar (Ivar) Jafnhárr Jón Jóngeirr Kál Kiaran Klaus Knútr (Knut) Kolgrimr (Kolgrim) Kolr (Kol) Leifr (Leif) Loki Lyngvi Magnus Mikjáll (Mikal, Mikkel) Mór Morði Nesbjørn Nokkvi Oddr (Odd) Oddbjørn Oðin (Odin) Olafr (Olaf) Ormr (Orm) Otr Ouden Pálni Pedr Ragnarr (Ragnar) Ragnvaldr (Ragnvald) Randr (Rand) Róaldr (Roald) Rólfr (Rolf) Salvi Sigarr (Sigar) Sigbjørn Sigurðr (Sigurd) Skarpe Snorri (Snorre) Steinn (Stein) Sveinn (Svein) Teitr Þor (Thor/Tor) Þórbjørn (Thorbjørn/Torbjørn) Þorsteinn (Thorstein/Torstein) Tryggr (Trygg) Týr Ulfár Ulfheðinn (Ulvhedin) Ulfr (Ulf) Vakr Vani Veigr Viðarr (Vidar) Yngvarr (Yngvar) Æsi

Women's names

Anna Arnfriðr (Arnfrid) Ása Bera Bergdís (Bergdis) Biørg (Bjørg) Cecilia Cecilie Christina Dagný (Dagny) Dagrún (Dagrun) Dís Dísa Edda Elin Ellisif (Ellisiv) Freyja (Freya) Friða (Frida) Frigg Gerðr (Gerd) Gertrud Grima Gyða (Gyda) Hadda Hallbéra Hallkatla Herdís (Herdis) Hildigunnr (Hildegunn) Huld Hvít Ida Iðunn (Idun, Idunn) Ingríðr (Ingrid) Johanna Jórunn (Jorun, Jorunn) Juliana Katla Katrine Kristín (Kristin) Leikný (Leikny) Lif (Liv) Magnhildr (Magnhild) Mjøll Myrgiol Nál Nanna Nótt Oda Oddný (Oddny) Ólaug (Olaug) Rafnhildr (Ragnhild) Rán Rannveíg Ríkví (Rikvi, Rikke) Rúna (Runa) Roskva Sága (Saga) Sif (Siv) Sigriðr (Sigrid) Skaði (Skadi) Skuld Svana Sýn Solveig Tekla Tóra (Tora) Trana Ulfhildr (Ulfhild) Una Urðr (Urd) Valborg Vigdís (Viigdis) Vírún Yngvildr (Ingvill, Ingvild) Yrsa

Bynames Bynames, or nicknames, could be neutral, praising or condescending. Usually bynames described a person's

body, bodyparts, bodily features

age

kinship and descent

territorial origin

knowledge, belief, spirituality

clothing, armour

occupation, social position

nature

Examples: Eirik Blodøks (Eirik Blood-Axe), Gammel-Anna (old Anna), Halte-Ása (limping Ása). I suggest that you stick with English for bynames, or use (relatively) modern language if you are writing in Norwegian. 

Surnames

Surnames weren't really a thing until 1923 when they became mandatory. Before 1923 patronyms (son/daughter of) were used, and the name of the farm you lived on was often added as an address. 

For instance: Helgi Eiriksøn (Helgi, son of Eirik), who lived at the farm called Vollr (grass field), would be called Helgi Eiriksøn Vollr. If he moved to the farm called Haugr his name would change to Helgi Eiriksøn Haugr.

Patronyms

Men: Use father's first name and add -sen /-son /-sønn Women: Use father's first name and add -dotter / -dottir / -datter

Farm names

Farm names were usually relevant and derived from either the location, a nearby landmark, nature or from occupation.  I suggest you stick with the modern forms for farm names.

Old Norse (meaning) - modern Bekkr (stream) - Bekk, Bekken Dalr (valley) - Dal, Dahl Horn (horn) - Horn Vollr (field) - Vold, Volden Lundr (grove) - Lund

The list of common names for places/villages/towns is still valid, although the spelling is modern. Just keep it simple and make "clever" combos based on meaning. 

[sumigakure]

we’re getting the band (back) together

To: @modernart2012

From: @arrowsbane​

Title: we’re getting the band (back) together

Rating: T

Wordcount: 1486

Prompt: Pacific Rim AU. Preference for MadaTobi, but I’m open to any pairing, romantic or otherwise. Doesn’t have to follow the movie, can follow the comics.

Notes: I went very AU with this, but right now Idek bc I swapped prompts halfway through, and this is what my brain came up with.

Summary: “We’re getting the band back together!” Jiraiya crows exuberantly. Tsunade, of course, is just there to knock some heads together; and Orochimaru… Orochimaru hates them both. He’d rather being science-ing in his lab right about now.

After the shinobi villages formed, when the clans finally came together in order to stop the wars, the worst thing anybody really had to worry about was politics and conflicting missions…

And then… everything changed.

When the Zetsu first began attacking, it was the Samurai who came up with the concept for the Jaegar Project. It was a great idea, two people piloting a giant, fifty foot mechanical robot to combat the threat… until, of course, the Shinobi nations took one look at the machine and started to laugh.

The Project wasn’t scrapped – it couldn’t be scrapped, not with the panicked civilians’ screaming en masse at the politicians. Instead, it was made the public face of international defence.

Instead, the Parabatai Project was designed – which in turn spawned the Cerebus Program as the years passed; implants inserted directly into the spinal column and interfacing with the CNS and brainstem, wirelessly connected to partnered hubs.

The implants enabled the user to link-up with others, and essentially become one mind simultaneously piloting and co-ordinating multiple bodies. If used by an ordinary swordsman, it would be lethal… used by Ninja… well, that was just inspired.

And so began the evolution of the ninja villages – Senju Tobirama and Uchiha Madara paved the way, demonstrating the deadly efficiency of two compatible genii able to share a hive mind-set. The land of Fire was set ablaze in their attempt to wipe out the Zetsu, but even their combined might was not enough. 

Genin teams were put together for balance, but ninja were assessed again as Chunin, and often reassigned to different units in order to test flexibility and search out the best ‘fit’. Partners were usually set around the age of sixteen, once puberty had evened out – chakra helping to stabilise the mind and body ahead of civilian standards.

When Sarutobi’s Genin team were slotted together, nobody had really expected much of them – well, they had expected them to become brilliant ninja… separately… in their own right… but nobody had foreseen the titans that they would be in the field.

The implants stung at first, they always did – Jiraiya bitched, Orochimaru scowled… and Tsunade… Tsunade was smug, because the idiots had ignored the opportunity to learn the healing techniques she’d used on herself within five minutes of leaving the Cerebus Centre.

Sarutobi shook his head and sighed, directing them to training ground twenty-three, and settling in to watch the no-doubt hilarious show that would be the three of them (re)learning to navigate while sharing headspace with minds that weren’t their own.

“Ouch!”

“Out of the way!”

“Ow. Ow OW OW TSUNADE!”

“Mooorrrooon.”

Sarutobi found himself dropping the rice ball and hastily intervening as Orochimaru’s words began to slur together in the telling manner that threatened the destruction of the whole training ground… or the village being swamped in snakes. Again.

The Sannin weathered so many storms, so many encounters with the Zetsu over the years before the cracks begin to show.

Time isn’t kind, nor is life. Some grow close, some grow apart… and constant expectations of high success rates, expectations of perfection, of setting the bar, of succeeding in an impossible war…

Tsunade lost her brother and fiancée, Orochimaru’s humanity slipped further and further from his grip with every passing year, and Jiraiya buried years of pain and disappointment beneath a wide grin and creased-closed eyes.

And then the cracks met in the middle, and the team shattered at the seams.

The Sanin were no more.

Time ticks on, and the Zetsu keep coming.

New teams step up to the plate, nations rise and fall in the leaderboards for ‘have killed the most useless monsters’… and eventually the Hokage throws his hands in the air, sighs, and sends his ANBU out to drag Jiraya away from the Hot Springs and into his office – by the ear if necessary.

“Enough,” He tells the wayward brat – fifty years old or not, he’s a brat – “Enough. This has gone on for long enough.”

Jiraiya, of course, scowls.

“I’m not the one who left,” He grumbles, crossing his arms and ducking his chin, the picture of an angry pre-teen. Sarutobi sighs and rubs the crease between his brows.

“No,” he replies, “you are not; but that doesn’t mean you can’t go after them.”

Jiraya, tellingly, doesn’t answer. He sits there in sullen silence for a long while, and then slinks out of the office. Sarutobi has a sinking feeling. This will not end well.

Tsunade is drinking in a bar when he finds her, flushed pink from the alcohol, and halfway to falling asleep on a bill she won’t ever pay.

“No,” she says before he can even open his mouth, before he’s even in her line of sight – like she knows what he’s there for – and she does, because she’s still got the implants, and he would never give his up.

“But–”

“No.”

Jiraiya sighs, and flops down into a seat next to her, raising an arm to the bartender who nods and sets down a bottle of Sake and a cup in front of him.

“Kampai,” he mutters in a subdued tone.

Fuck. Now he remembers why he never chased after them before now.

The next morning dawns bright and clear – the sun is shining, the birds are singing… the local castle is exploding in a cloud of dust and rubble.

The fuck?

Jiraiya bolts upright, and groans, supressing the urge to drop back down into bed as the force of his hangover – and Tsunade’s, shit, how did he forget about that perk of the bond? – hits him smack in the cap of the skull, and his eyes feel like they’ve been burnt out of his head.

Goddammit, what was that?

He squints out against the morning glare, wrenching the window open and pushing off of the sill with practised ease, zoning in on the source of the noise.

Boom usually equals bad in his books.

And he’s right. He’s not the only one there though – Tsunade and her apprentice (Shizue? Torune? Shizune?) follows them, carrying a pig of all things.

Not only that, but looming out of the dust and snarling with frustration is–

“Orochimaru?” Jiraiya yelps. He hadn’t sensed the snake nin nearby. How had he not sensed the man when he’s lit up like a fucking chakra beacon?

“What did you do?” Tsunade screeches angrily, staring at was once a piece of local cultural history and is now a mass of stone and dirt.

“It wasn’t me,” Their wayward teammate snarls back at her; and as one, they turn to see a writing white mass melting into nothingness. But of course, where there’s one Zetsu, there’s dozens more.

“We’ll talk about this later,” She orders, ignoring Jiraiya’s whine of pain, and smashing a chakra-coated fist through the head of a Zetsu that had been trying to sneak up on her.

“Sure, “Orochimaru snipes backwards, “Sometime after the two of you have drunk your weight in sake again I suppose?”

“Please,” Tsunade snorts, kicking another Zetsu into a group, and the lot of them go down like bowling pins. “I’d need a lot more than that to handle your crap.”

Jiraiya tunes them out, focusing on using their connection – something he hasn’t done in over ten years – to handle the situation, although the back of his brain feels the familiar to-and-fro of death threats and general snarking.

He’s missed this.

When it’s all over and done with, and they’re standing in the wreckage of the battlefield, Jiraiya lets his shoulders slump, and turns to his old friends with a grin on his face – a grin he’s not worn in a long time.

“That was fun,” Tsunade admits as they make their way down to the town. She’s going to need sake to get through the rest of they day.

“Yeah, it was.” Jiraiya agrees happily, and Orochimaru snorts. “Oh don’t act like you didn’t enjoy it.”

“I didn’t hate it…” Orochimaru acquiesces, stepping over a large chunk of stone and mortar.

“Aww, I love you too.” Jiraiya latches onto his teammate like a limpet on a rock.

“Get your hand off of me, Moron.” Orochimaru hisses, flipping his hair over his shoulder and trying to squirm out of Jiraiya’s grip.

“You’re both idiots.” Tsunade grumbles, shaking out her clothes.

“But we’re your idiots.” Jiraiya tells her cheerfully.

“You’re certainly something,” She grumbles, and then freezes as a thought passes through Jiraiya’s head.

“No,” She says.

“No.” Orochimaru agrees with her.

It’s too late though, they both know he’s not going to let them go again.

“Don’t say it,” Tsunade groans, rubbing her aching temples and Orochimaru groans.

“We’re getting the band back together!” Jiraiya crows exuberantly. Tsunade, of course, is just there to knock some heads together; and Orochimaru… Orochimaru hates them both. He’d rather being science-ing in his lab right about now.

If you enjoyed this piece, why not take a look at other pieces written by the same author on AO3.