Víkarbyrgi

Víkarbyrgi is a ghost town on the southeast coast of Suðuroy Island in the Faroe Islands. The last permanent residents left in the early 2000s. It takes a scenic drive to get to the place.

The neighbouring hamlet of Hamrabyrgi is also abandoned and is considered part of Víkarbyrgi. The two are separated only by a small stream.

The History of Víkarbyrgi

It is unclear when people first settled in Víkarbyrgi, but historians believe Irish monks may have lived there before the Vikings. The small islet of Baglhólmur lies just southeast of the village. Its name translates to “The Islet of the Bishop’s Staff” in Latin. This has led some to believe that Irish monks lived on the islet and therefore also in Víkarbyrgi.

The village was abandoned twice. The first time was after the Black Death in 1349. Before the plague, the village was one of the largest on Suðuroy Island with its own church and cemetery.

In 1830, villagers from nearby Sumba moved to Víkarbyrgi to establish an outlying settlement and farm fertile, unused land. At the time, the growing population of the Faroe Islands created a need for more farmland and fishing grounds. By 1906, the village reached its peak population of 40 residents. It gained a connection to the main road network in 1977. In the early 1990s, a salmon hatchery began operating there, but it has since closed.

Starting in 1998, Víkarbyrgi was gradually depopulated, and the last residents left in 2003. Extreme isolation and urbanisation contributed to its final abandonment. A steep mountain road connects Víkarbyrgi to the rest of the island, but winter conditions can make the road impassable.

Today, no one lives in the village but holiday homes stand alongside old ruins, making it one of the most atmospheric and remote corners of the Faroe Islands.

The Village Legend

According to local folklore, there was a single survivor of the Black Death in Víkarbyrgi, a woman known as Sneppan í Hamrabyrgi. Due to her prolonged isolation during the plague, she didn’t want any contact with others even after the epidemic had ended.

To prevent her from starving, men from Sumba lowered dried meat down to her from a cliff edge. The same food culture as back then is still very much alive in the Faroe Islands.

A plot of land in Hamrabyrgi near the waterfall bears the name “Snepputoftin” after her.

Getting to Víkarbyrgi

Víkarbyrgi is easy to visit on a roadtrip through Suðuroy Island in the summer. In the winter, the road can become impassable.

Reaching the village is only possible by car as there is no public transport going there.

To get to the village, drive the mountain road between the villages of Lopra and Sumba. About halfway along the road, you will see a sign pointing towards Víkarbyrgi. Follow the road and after 3 km (1.86 mi), you will reach the village.

Another attraction along this road is the impressive Beinisvørð Promontory. It is located only 1.5 km (0.93 mil) south of the road leading to Víkarbyrgi.

Guide to Faroe Islands

Guide to Faroe Islands is nestled in the capital of the Faroe Islands. Founded in 2018, Guide to Faroe Islands is now the go-to agency when planning and booking holidays in the Faroe Islands. Services include car rental, accommodation, and experiences. With sustainability at heart and more than 150 different tours and activities ready for travellers to explore, Guide to Faroe Islands is a guarantee for memories to last a lifetime. Our company has tailor-made exceptional itineraries for successful and wealthy people beside assisting and helping adventurous travellers getting that well deserved holiday.

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