Bornholm is home to many trolls, but none are as beloved and iconic as the unforgettable Krølle-Bølle. The little troll with a single curl on his head and another in his tail has long been Bornholm’s beloved, unofficial national mascot, delighting both children and adults who come to the island. For many adults, Krølle-Bølle brings back fond memories of childhood summer holidays on the rocky shores of Bornholm.
Krølle-Bølle has been roaming North Bornholm since the 1940s when the mischievous young troll first made his way onto the pages of a picture book in 1946. Since then, he has made a career in everything from ice cream to traffic lights. Created by Bornholm native Ludvig Mahler and his son Ole Mahler, Krølle-Bølle has since gained popularity beyond Denmark, with editions released in both German and English. Today, the troll has a large fan base both at home and abroad.
After many years away, Krølle-Bølle ice cream has finally returned to its roots on Bornholm, where Bornholms Ismejeri now proudly handles its production.
The ice cream, cherished by many for its nostalgic connection to summer, was originally produced in a small dairy in Humledal in Rø, and later at the island’s cooperative dairy. However, production came to a halt in 2008. Known for making delicious organic ice cream for many years, Bornholms Ismejeri was thrilled to announce in 2023 that they would take on the production of this much-loved iconic ice cream.
With ice cream production now firmly back on Bornholm, Krølle-Bølle has enjoyed something of a renaissance. The little troll has even made his way onto one of the island’s traffic lights, where he now lights up to keep traffic safe for both locals and visitors. Krølle-Bølle hopes to eventually make his mark on all five traffic lights across the island!
One of the exciting developments is that Krølle-Bølle will soon be adding “actor” to his CV, with a large-scale family film adaptation in the pipeline, set to premiere in time for the winter half-term holidays in 2026.
Blending animation and live-action, the film is a humorous and heartwarming tale that brings Krølle-Bølle and his adventures vividly to life on the big screen. It also introduces a whole new generation to the enchanting world of Krølle-Bølle and the magic of Bornholm.
