Introduction
In the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), New Asgard is a fictional settlement established on Earth after the destruction of Asgard, the celestial realm of the Norse gods. It represents not only a refuge for the Asgardian people but also a symbol of resilience, adaptation, and cultural continuity in the wake of catastrophe. Introduced in Avengers: Endgame (2019), New Asgard is located in the small coastal village of Tønsberg, Norway, although its on-screen representation was filmed in the Scottish village of St Abbs. Over time, New Asgard has become an iconic location in the MCU, associated with themes of loss, renewal, and community.
This essay explores New Asgard’s origins in the MCU, its cultural and symbolic significance, its relationship to Norse mythology, and its depiction in popular culture.
Origins of New Asgard
The story of New Asgard begins with the fall of the original Asgard. In Thor: Ragnarok (2017), the realm of the gods is destroyed during the battle against Hela, the goddess of death. Asgard’s destruction was foreshadowed as Ragnarök, the prophesied end of the world in Norse mythology, and though Thor and his people manage to defeat Hela, they cannot save their home.
In the immediate aftermath, the surviving Asgardians board a spaceship to find sanctuary. However, their trials continue in Avengers: Infinity War (2018), when Thanos intercepts their vessel. Many Asgardians are slaughtered in his attack, including Loki and Heimdall, leaving the community devastated. The survivors, under Thor’s leadership, eventually settle on Earth in Norway, founding what becomes known as New Asgard.
Location: Tønsberg, Norway
The decision to situate New Asgard in Tønsberg is not arbitrary. Tønsberg is a real historical town in Norway, reputed to be one of the oldest in the country. In the MCU, it is a location deeply tied to Asgardian history.
- In Thor (2011), Odin battles the Frost Giants near Tønsberg, marking the town as a place of mythological encounters.
- In Captain America: The First Avenger (2011), Tønsberg is where Johann Schmidt (the Red Skull) discovers the Tesseract, hidden there by Odin centuries earlier.
By choosing Tønsberg, the MCU writers reinforced the town’s role as a recurring nexus between Asgardians and humans. It symbolically connects the mythological past with the contemporary world, making it a fitting site for the Asgardians’ new beginning.
Representation in Avengers: Endgame
In Avengers: Endgame, the audience first encounters New Asgard five years after Thanos’s snap (the Blip), which wiped out half of all life in the universe. The once-mighty Asgardians are shown living humbly in a fishing village, their grand palaces replaced by modest wooden homes. This down-to-earth depiction contrasts sharply with the ornate, golden halls of Asgard, emphasizing the community’s fall from grandeur to survival.
Thor himself is portrayed in a vulnerable state, struggling with depression and guilt over his failure to stop Thanos. He lives in seclusion in New Asgard, sharing a house with Korg and Miek. His physical and emotional decline mirrors the diminished state of his people, but the setting also provides a backdrop for his eventual recovery and renewed sense of purpose.
New Asgard’s appearance in Endgame underscores several key themes:
- Resilience: Despite devastating losses, the Asgardians endure, finding a way to rebuild.
- Equality: Once-godlike figures now live as ordinary people, working and fishing alongside humans.
- Adaptation: The Asgardians integrate into earthly life, abandoning their celestial throne for humble village life.
Expansion in Thor: Love and Thunder
New Asgard is further developed in Thor: Love and Thunder (2022). By this time, the settlement has flourished, becoming a thriving town and tourist destination. Under the leadership of Valkyrie, who assumes the title of King of New Asgard, the community moves beyond mere survival to growth and reinvention.
The film depicts New Asgard as a bustling hub, with cruise ships bringing tourists to witness its Asgardian heritage. Attractions include cultural performances, statues, and re-enactments of Asgard’s legendary battles. This blending of tradition and commerce reflects both the resilience of the people and the realities of modern economic survival.
While some of the spectacle borders on parody, it also shows how Asgardians reinterpret their identity in a new context. Valkyrie, though initially reluctant about the ceremonial and political aspects of her role, proves to be a capable leader, balancing governance, diplomacy, and defense.
Symbolism of New Asgard
New Asgard carries symbolic weight on several levels:
- Survivor Identity:
It represents the Asgardians’ ability to survive cultural annihilation. Like diasporic communities in human history, they establish a “new homeland” that carries forward traditions while adapting to new circumstances. - Humility and Humanity:
By living in simple wooden homes and fishing villages, the Asgardians shed their aura of divine superiority. They become more relatable, blurring the line between gods and mortals. - Leadership and Community:
The transition of leadership from Thor to Valkyrie highlights the importance of community-based governance. Thor, once a warrior king, steps aside to find his own path, while Valkyrie embraces the responsibility of guiding their people. - Cultural Continuity:
Even in a new setting, the Asgardians preserve their mythology, rituals, and symbols. Statues of warriors, retellings of stories, and celebrations ensure that their cultural heritage endures.
New Asgard and Norse Mythology
The concept of “New Asgard” does not appear in traditional Norse mythology, but it resonates with mythological themes. In the Poetic Edda and Prose Edda, Ragnarök is not only an end but also a beginning. After the cataclysm, the surviving gods gather, and the world is renewed. This cyclical concept is echoed in the MCU’s depiction of the Asgardians founding a new home after their world’s destruction.
Moreover, the location in Norway ties directly to Norse roots. While the real town of Tønsberg is not associated with mythological Asgard, situating the settlement there anchors the MCU’s fantasy world in historical and cultural geography.
Filming Location: St Abbs, Scotland
While New Asgard is set in Norway within the MCU, the actual filming location is the village of St Abbs on Scotland’s southeast coast. St Abbs provided the rugged cliffs, picturesque harbour, and quaint cottages that brought New Asgard to life on screen.
Following Avengers: Endgame, St Abbs embraced its new identity, with signs welcoming visitors to “St Abbs – Twinned with New Asgard.” Tourism increased, with fans of the MCU flocking to the village to see the real-world counterpart of Thor’s new home. This blending of fiction and reality highlights the cultural impact of the MCU and its ability to reshape perceptions of real places.
Cultural Impact
New Asgard has quickly become one of the most memorable locations in the MCU. It resonates with audiences for several reasons:
- Representation of Loss and Renewal: Fans connect with the depiction of a people who, despite immense loss, find a way forward.
- Thor’s Character Arc: The setting is central to Thor’s journey, reflecting his struggles with failure and eventual rediscovery of purpose.
- Tourism and Fandom: Real-world St Abbs has become a pilgrimage site for Marvel fans, demonstrating how fictional worlds influence cultural and economic realities.
- Inclusivity of Valkyrie’s Rule: As the first openly LGBTQ+ character in the MCU films, Valkyrie’s role as King of New Asgard represents progress in representation.
Conclusion
New Asgard is more than a backdrop in the MCU. It is a narrative device that symbolizes resilience, community, and the adaptation of tradition in the face of loss. From its humble beginnings in Avengers: Endgame to its expansion in Thor: Love and Thunder, it charts the evolution of the Asgardian people from exiled survivors to a thriving, reinvented community.
Rooted in mythological themes yet firmly tied to real-world locations, New Asgard bridges fantasy and reality. For audiences, it offers both an engaging fictional space and a reflection of universal human experiences: the search for belonging, the endurance of culture, and the hope of renewal after tragedy.
As the MCU continues to expand, New Asgard will likely remain a key touchstone, embodying the enduring spirit of Asgard and reminding us that even in the face of destruction, new beginnings are always possible.
