Why was Valhalla important to the Vikings?

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The idea of an afterlife in Valhalla was a strong motivating force for the Vikings, especially before they went into battle, because only the fallen warriors that the god Odin deemed worthy and brave enough could reach Valhalla. This belief shaped the way Vikings lived their lives and honoured the fallen.

What is Valhalla?

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In Norse mythology, Valhalla is the hall of slain warriors, who live there blissfully under the leadership of the god Odin. Valhalla is depicted as a splendid palace where the warriors spend every day feasting on a freshly slaughtered boar, drinking liquor that flows from the udder of a goat, and fighting one another for sport.