Kirkjubøur

Kirkjubøur is regarded as the most important historical site in the Faroe Islands. The village is located on the southern part of Streymoy Island. It takes only 15 minutes to drive here from the capital, Tórshavn. 

The historic village is also easily accessible by bus. Take one of the free-of-charge red buses from Tórshavn to Kirkjubøur. Bus route 5 (weekdays) and route 7 (weekends) will get you to the heart of Kirkjubøur. The easiest way to get there is by jumping on a bus in Steinatún bus terminal in Tórshavn.

At the bus stop in Kirkjubøur, you will find a new and modern toilet building. If you arrive by car, you can park the car next to the building. 

When in Kirkjubøur, make sure to experience the ruins of the Magnus Cathedral, the Saint Olav’s Church (Olavskirkjan), and the old 11th century log house, Roykstovan. Most houses in the village are painted black and turf-roofed which adds to the atmosphere.

The Birth of a Nation

The log house Roykstovan, which means The Smoky Room, has been the living room on the farm in the village for many centuries. The oldest part of the building is open to the public.

Kirkjubøur is the birthplace of Jóannes Patursson (1866-1946), the leader of the 20th century independence movement in the Faroe Islands. Beside being a politician and poet, Jóannes Patursson was an important farmer in the village.

Jóannes Patursson created the idea that the Faroe Islands is a nation. His influence is still present in the Faroe Islands. His hymns are sung in churches, his songs are sung at parties and the political party he founded, The Faroese People’s Party, is still one of the larges parties in the Faroe Islands.

If you want to go for a cozy little walk, this is the place to go. Follow the unpaved path along the mountain next to Kirkjubøur for 30 minutes down south.

This will take you to the ruins of the abandoned settlement Úti í Bø. You will see the ruins of boat houses and other stone buildings.

Historic Buildings in Kirkjubøur

The farmhouse Kirkjubøargarður dates back to the 11th century. Travellers have the unique opportunity to go inside the house and see the old living room now used by the 17th generation of the family that runs the farm in Kirkjubøur.

The ruins of the Magnus Cathedral is the most important historic building in the Faroe Islands. The building was likely never finished. Historians say that the cathedral would have been one of the most beautiful Gothic buildings in the Nordic region. The cathedral consists of a simple, rectangular nave.

A small sacristy on the north side has traces of paving and altar foundations and was perhaps the only part of the building that was finished. A tower was also apparently on its way. Only the walls of the church are standing, and from them plaster and ornament have long since disappeared, revealing the excellent craftsmanship of the builders.

Services in Kirkjubøur

This village on Streymoy Island is small in size. Keep this in mind before you get there.

• Grocery store: No
• Café: No
• Public toilet: Yes
• Parking lot: Yes

Høgni Reistrup

Høgni Reistrup is the CEO and Co-founder of Guide to Faroe Islands. Born and raised in the Faroe Islands, Høgni has deep roots in the archipelago. He co-founded the marketplace Guide to Faroe Islands in 2018 as a way for travellers to plan and explore the best of the island group.

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