TORSHAVN, FAROE ISLANDS

 

Today Tórshavn is considered one of the smallest and most pleasant capital cities in the world. The history of Tórshavn began centuries ago when Vikings from Western Norway first met in the middle of the islands for their annual gathering. This summer court and market gradually grew into a permanent trading area. Under Norwegian and then Danish rule government officials made Tórshavn their home. They built forts to protect themselves and, spurred on by an expanding fishing fleet, the village soon became a thriving town. Tórshavn today blends the historical and picturesque with all the features of a modern city.

Today Tórshavn is considered one of the smallest and most pleasant capital cities in the world. The history of Tórshavn began centuries ago when Vikings from Western Norway first met in the middle of the islands for their annual gathering. This summer court and market gradually grew into a permanent trading area. Under Norwegian and then Danish rule government officials made Tórshavn their home. They built forts to protect themselves and, spurred on by an expanding fishing fleet, the village soon became a thriving town. Tórshavn today blends the historical and picturesque with all the features of a modern city. Our tour will visit Tinganes, which is the historic part of Tórshavn, for a walk of approximately one hour. It is largely preserved to the present day, and is one of the few existing medieval towns with timber built houses. Many houses have been reconstructed, but stand in their original positions. It has never been destroyed by fire, as is often the case with timber built towns – therefore it is unique, not only in the Faroe Islands, but also throughout the world. We will then drive to, and make a short stop at, Skansin to explore the remains of the old fort, overlooking Tórshavn harbour. Scanning the horizon, we will probably spot fishing boats along the coast and maybe our own cruise ship. Continuing our drive, we go up to the beautiful Nordic House cultural centre. The Nordic House’s aim is to support and promote Nordic and Faroese culture, both locally and in the Nordic region. It holds exhibitions and lectures, as well as being used to practise traditional Faroese dance and hosting theatrical and musical events. This magnificent building opened in 1983 at a cost of 70 Million Danish Kroner (approximately 6.5 million pounds). The Nordic House is built to Nordic tradition – the floor uses Norwegian stone and the chairs are Finnish, wooden panels give an insight to the deep Swedish forests and the glass and steel construction, giving the house its special profile in the Faroese landscape, is Danish. Above it all hangs the Icelandic roof construction. Continuing by coach through the modern sections of the city, we then head back to the harbour, stopping briefly at a viewpoint overlooking the capital.

There is a moderate amount of walking on this tour. As well as the time in the old town, each stop will last 10-20 minutes with walking at passengers’ own discretion (the old fort is set on a hillside). It may be possible to remain on the coach at stops, if preferred. The order of sights on the tour may be different to that given.

DESCRIPTION CORRECT FOR 2008 SCANDINAVIA & BALTIC SEASON