Tórshavn Cathedral

Tórshavn Cathedral, known locally as Havnar Kirkja, stands just north of the Tinganes peninsula in the heart of Tórshavn on Streymoy Island.

The cathedral is the second-oldest preserved church in the Faroe Islands, after the one in Kirkjubøur. It sits in the historic part of the capital, among the best restaurants and plenty of houses with turf roofs.

The History of the Cathedral

The cathedral dates back to 1788. At this time, there were only around 600 people living in Tórshavn. It is a white-painted building with a slate roof and a tower with a golden spire. Inside, the vaulted ceiling is painted blue with stars, resembling the night sky.

The cathedral belongs to the Evangelical-Lutheran national Church of the Faroe Islands. In 1990, it became the seat of the Bishop of the archipelago when the diocese was reestablished. This was also when it got its status as a cathedral.

Repairs were carried out in 1865, although these only made minor changes to the building’s structure. 1935 saw expansions of the choir and the building of a new sacristy.

The main altarpiece is from 1825 and depicts the burial of Jesus. Another altarpiece hanging on the northern wall is from 1647, and features a painting of the Last Supper.

The church bell is the largest in the archipelago, weighing 1450 kg. Two older bells hang in the office. One of these originates from the Danish slave ship Norske Løve, which ran aground in the Lambavík Inlet off the coast of Lamba on Eysturoy Island in 1707. The local people helped rescue many of the crew members and recover valuable items from the ship, including the bell. The following year, they brought it to the cathedral in Tórshavn.

A model of the ship hangs inside the cathedral. It is thought that one or more of the rescued crew members made it as a gesture of gratitude for the Faroese people’s help.

How to Visit Tórshavn Cathedral

The cathedral is easy to spot during a walk through the capital as it is located right next to the peninsula with the old houses of Reyn and Tinganes, the historic parliament. It is also a popular stop on guided walking tours of the city.

If you want to step inside the cathedral, it is usually open Monday to Saturday in the afternoon. You can check the current opening hours here. Admission is free.

On Sundays at 11 AM, there is a church service in the cathedral. This is free for everyone to join. The service often includes a christening, which visitors can also observe. Usually, you will see people wearing the traditional Faroese dress during christening services. However, remember to not take pictures or videos of other people.

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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