During the weekend, hikers found the massive formation collapsed and lying on the ground at the base of the rock face from which it used to protrude in a suggestive way. A subsequent look showed traces of drilling on the geological formation, prompting local police into launching an inquiry into potential vandalism, Norwegian national broadcaster NRK reported. The unexpected downfall of the iconic rock only days after grabbing national headlines even fueled suspicions of a PR stunt.
Following the collapse of the would-be attraction, however, a local entrepreneur launched an online collection to put the pieces back together and restore the phallic rock's former glory. UNESCO geologist Pål Thjømøe ordered a contractor to provide an estimate for the "genital surgery."
"Should the landowner desire it, this is not a problem. We have secured blocks far greater than this," entrepreneur Sverre Garpestad told the local newspaper Dalane Tidende. According to him, the solution would be to drill bolts into the rock, then reel up the missing piece back into its place. "After all, nobody will be able to spot the difference," he promised, venturing that the rock might be back by fall.
"Just think of all the stories we can make around this. We should turn it into something positive," Pål Thjømøe said.
According to Kjetil Bentsen, the man behind the initiative to make Trollpikken into a tourist attraction, the feedback from disappointed tourists alone was so overwhelming that it gave the feeling that everyone would like to contribute.
In a few days' time, over a thousand donors responded to the appeal entitled "Troll's Penis Will Rise Again," exceeding the target sum of 200,000 NOK (roughly $24,000).
While the "Troll's Penis" is still limp, a number of other evocative rocks have been suggested as possible tourist attractions across Norway. One of them is an equally phallic, yet much less accessible rock situated on the island of Reinøya outside the polar town of Kirkenes.
According to knowledgeable Kirkenes residents, the rock is known as a sacrificial stone. It was believed that a sacrifice at the peculiar formation increased the chance of having a male child, which was crucial at times of strict fishing rights in the fjord. A phallic stone formation in Gosviktind, Finnmark county, was suggested as yet another successor to Trollpikken.
Neste år skal jeg bestige #trollkuken #finnmark pic.twitter.com/nU3mEjryk3
— Anne lise Holm (@Zarema71) September 13, 2016
