The giants' outer realm, beyond the boundaries of order in Norse myth.
Útgarðr, the outer enclosure, is the realm of giants and chaos in contrast to Ásgarðr and Miðgarðr. It is a land beyond the boundaries of the known world where normal natural laws do not apply.
In the tale of Þórr and Útgarðaloki, Þórr visits Útgarðr and faces seemingly invincible opponents, but it is revealed that everything was sorcery and illusion. The story underlines Útgarðr's nature as a realm of chaos and deception.
Attestations
- Snorri Sturluson, Gylfaginning, kap. 45-47
- Þórr's visit to Útgarðr and the revelation of the illusions.