Fremont Troll, Concrete sculpture under Aurora Bridge in Fremont, Seattle, US.
The Fremont Troll is a concrete sculpture beneath the Aurora Bridge in Seattle's Fremont neighborhood, created by a team of local artists in 1990. The giant figure stands roughly 18 feet tall and grips a real Volkswagen Beetle with one hand while staring out from under the bridge with an eye made from a metal hubcap.
Four artists led by Steve Badanes built the troll in 1990 using a neighborhood grant of 20,000 dollars to transform an abandoned space beneath the bridge. The project came from a Fremont Arts Council competition meant to reimagine unused city spots.
The figure draws from the Norwegian tale Three Billy Goats Gruff, linking Nordic storytelling traditions with contemporary street art. It shows a grumpy giant with a shiny hubcap gaze, playing the role of the classic bridge keeper from the old stories.
The sculpture sits openly at North 36th Street beneath the Aurora Bridge and can be visited anytime for photos. The area around it is busiest during daylight when light under the bridge shows the details better.
The Volkswagen Beetle in the troll's grip originally held a time capsule with Elvis memorabilia, but vandalism led to filling the car with concrete. Today the car is firmly anchored in the figure's grasp and part of the permanent installation.
Location: Seattle
Creator: Steve Badanes
Accessibility: Wheelchair limited access
Made from material: concrete
GPS coordinates: 47.65105,-122.34723
Latest update: December 4, 2025 23:03
Seattle stretches between Puget Sound and Lake Washington, offering a mix of urban architecture, public spaces and natural areas. This route connects more than thirty stops, from the Space Needle and Pike Place Market to less visited sites like the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks or the Wing Luke Museum....
Mars Hill Church
2.4 km
Statue of Lenin, Seattle
281 m
Gas Works Park
1.1 km
Woodland Park Zoo
2 km
Lake Washington Ship Canal
1.6 km
George Washington Memorial Bridge
519 m
Fremont Bridge
446 m
Adventuress
2.3 km
Ship Canal Bridge
1.8 km
Blue Moon Tavern
2.4 km
University Bridge
2.1 km
Ballard Bridge
2.3 km
The Wall of Death
2.2 km
Green Lake Aqua Theater
2.3 km
Queen Anne High School
2.2 km
Condon Hall
2.4 km
B. F. Day Elementary School
459 m
Naval Reserve Armory
2.5 km
North Queen Anne Drive Bridge
1.1 km
College Club of Seattle
2 km
Roanoke Park
2.2 km
West Queen Anne School
2.4 km
Wagner Houseboat
592 m
Seventh Church of Christ, Scientist
1.8 km
Fremont Trolley Barn
520 m
Fremont Building
229 m
1438 Northwest 46th Street
2.5 km
Guild 45th Theatre
1.5 kmVisited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes