WALHALLA (the hall of the fallen, i.e., heroes. See WacmvarEs.), is, in northern mythology, the name of the place of residence for the fallen in battle. This brilliant hall stood in Gladsheim (the house of joy); in front of it was the beautiful grove Glasur, the trees of which bore golden leaves. Before the hall, which was so high that its sum mit could scarcely be seen, a wolf was hung, as a symbol of war, over which sat an eagle; the saloon itself, ornamented with shields, and wainscoted with spears, had 540 doors, thron,ii each of which 800 of the inmates (Einherjer) could walk abreast. For these Einherjer (i.e., the brave), who came after death to Odin; was it destined. Renowned chiefs, especially if they had desolated many countries, and wielded the blood-dripping sword far and wide, were met and welcomed by Bragi and Hermode as messengers from Odin. The hall was decorated to honor them; all the divine heroes stood up at their reception; the Walkyries tasted wine for them, which otherwise only Odin drank. All kings came to Walhalla, even when they did not die on the battlefield; in general, these joys seem to have been prepared only for those of high rank and the rich. As it was honorable to come to Walhalla with a great retinue, and to possess many treasures, the comrades of a leader who had fallen in battle killed themselves of their own free will, and in his grave were laid along with his horse and arms the treas ures won in fight. Every morning the inmates marched out at the crowing of the cock, and fought furiously with another; but at midday all wounds healed, and the heroes assembled to the feast under Odin's presidency. Odin himself partook of nothing but wine; he gave the edibles to the wolves Geri and Freki, who sat beside him. The guests ate of the bacon of the boar Salirimmer, and refreshed themselves with beer and mead, which flowed in abundance from the udder of the goat Heidrun; the attendant Walky ries handed them the drinking-horns, under Freyja's direction. Occasionally, the hero
rode by night to his grave, where the beloved Walkyrie received him; he reposed in her embrace till, night disappearing, he exclaimed, "It is time to make the horse tread on the white stair of the sky; I must travel toward the west to the bridge of heaven before the cock awakes the warriors in Walhalla." The half of the fallen belonged to Freyja. The boar Sabrimmer, of which the heroes ate, was prepared by the cook Andhrimmer in the kettle Eldhrimmer. Sa is explained as signifying water; and, breath or soul; old, fire; 'trim, i.e., frost, was the primitive matter of which the world was made; from the brandies of the deer Eikthyrnir," standing over Walhalla, drops fell into the well Hvelarelmer, from which all rivers flowed. According to this, the heroes appear to be conceived as stars or spirits of the constellations, which draw their nourishment from the elements; and Walhalla stands for heaven.
The name WALHALLA is also given to a magnificent structure erected by Ludwig I. of Bavaria (1830-41) BA a temple of famo for all Germany. He conceived the project in . 1806, when the fatherland was at its lowest point of degradation, and while he was yet crown-prince. The design of the building was by Klenze, and the chief sculptors of Germany have contributed to the execution of the plan. It stands on an eminence 250 ft. above the Danube at Donaustauf, near Regensburg. The temple is of nearly the same dimensions and proportions as the Parthenon, and is built of marble. By means of statues, busts, reliefs, and tablets, the mythology and history of Germany are illus trated, and her greatest names commemorated. The undertaking cost 2,330,000 florins.