Tinganes

Tinganes is the oldest part of Tórshavn, the capital of the Faroe Islands. Among its grass-roofed buildings, you will find the Prime Minister’s Office and other government buildings.

‘Ting’ translates to ‘parliament’, and ‘nes’ to ‘peninsula’. This small peninsula has been the centre of power in the Faroe Islands since the Viking Age where it set the scene for the annual parliamentary assembly.

The history of Tinganes

The first Viking settlers gathered on Tinganes each summer to discuss laws and settle disputes. They came from all the different islands and settlements in the archipelago. Today, it is home to Løgtingið, the parliament of the Faroe Islands.

The Tinganes peninsula is therefore one of the oldest parliaments in the world. However, the buildings are not quite as old as those first Viking gatherings. Rather, the buildings date back to the 17th and 18th century.

Prime Minister’s Office

Travellers often find it fascinating that they might stumble upon the Prime Minister of the Faroe Islands while walking the narrow cobblestone street on the peninsula. Since the Faroe Islands is a very safe country, the Prime Minister has no security guards following in his footsteps.

So when in Tinganes, do not be surprised if you meet the leading political figure in the Faroe Islands. And with other ministries located next door, you might also greet the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Foreign Affairs or one of the other ministers in the archipelago.

Visiting Tinganes

The cobblestone streets of Tinganes are open to the public. Walk around the red houses and spot signs such as ‘Ministry of Finance’ or ‘Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ on the doors.

Walk to the tip of the peninsula and you will see the harbour area in Tórshavn. The building at the tip is the Prime Minister’s Office. A flagpole with the Faroese flag stands in front of the building.

Sveinur Tróndarson

Sveinur Tróndarson is a prominent figure in the Faroe Islands, known for his multifaceted contributions to local society, particularly in journalism, media, and culture. Born and raised in the settlement Skála on Eysturoy Island in the Faroe Islands, Tróndarson has been actively involved in shaping the public dialogue around everything from sports, politics to preserving local traditions. Sveinur holds a master’s degree in political science from the Univerity of the Faroe Islands. As a journalist, he has worked with key media outlets in the Faroe Islands, including the public broadcasting cooperation Kringvarp Føroya and as both chief editor and CEO at the newspaper Dimmalætting. His insights are valued and he is often used as an expert in news media. His commentary reflects a deep understanding of history, language, and the Faroe Island' place in the world. In addition to his journalistic endeavors, Tróndarson has taken the official tourism course in the Faroe Islands. Today, he also works as a tour guide.

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