Misplaced Pages

#175824

57-441: Velbastaður is on Streymoy’s west coast in the south of the island, north of the ferry port of Gamlarætt and about five kilometres from Kirkjubøur . It has a beautiful view across the strait of Hestsfjørður towards the islands of Hestur and Koltur . The islands of Vágar and Mykines can be seen further to the west, and Sandoy further to the south. Archaeological finds have unearthed artifacts possible dating as far back as

114-637: A submarine base. Instead, the British forces built an airbase on Vágar , which is still in use as Vágar Airport . Faroese fishing boats also provided a large amount of fish to the UK, which was crucial given food rationing . The Løgting gained legislative powers, with the Danish prefect Carl Aage Hilbert retaining executive power. The Faroese flag was recognized by British authorities. There were some attempts to declare complete independence in this period, but

171-648: A Celtic Christian style, seen in the circular enclosures of early ecclesiastical sites in Ireland. Indirect support for this theory has been found in genetic research showing that many Norse settler women in the Faroe Islands had Celtic forebears. If there was settlement in the Faroes in the reign of Harald Hårfagre, it is possible that people already knew about the Faroes because of previous visitors or settlers. The fact that immigrants from Norway also settled in

228-570: A Faroese man, and relative to Roe, bishop of the islands. The 14th century saw the start of what would prove to be a long era of foreign encroachment on the Faroese economy. At this time trading regulations were set up so that all Faroese commerce had to pass through Bergen , Norway, in order to collect customs tax. Meanwhile, the Hanseatic League was gaining in power, threatening Scandinavian commerce. Though Norway tried to halt this, it

285-523: A full sail in a favourable wind the whole time.... Most of these islands are small, they are separated by narrow channels, and for nearly a hundred years hermits lived there, coming from our land, Ireland, by boat. But just as these islands have been uninhabited from the beginning of the world, so now the Norwegian pirates have driven away the monks; but countless sheep and many different species of sea-fowl are to be found there..." Norse settlement of

342-551: A greater degree than with any of the other Viking Age settlers of the North Atlantic islands. English adventurers gave great trouble to the inhabitants in the 16th century, and the name of Magnus Heinason , a native of Streymoy , who was sent by Frederick II to clear the seas, is still celebrated in many songs and stories. In 1535 Christian II , the deposed monarch, tried to regain power from King Christian III who had just succeeded his father Frederick I. Several of

399-501: A southern route via Skúvoyarfjørður to Skálavík , Skúvoy and Sandur . This resulted in crossing times of 1–2 hours for non-stop trips to 2–3 hours with other calls en route from Tórshavn. A ferry port at Streymoy's southern tip would reduce the crossing time to 30 minutes to both Sandoy and 20 minutes to Hestur. Such a jetty was earlier proposed to be built in Kirkjubøur in 1963 and 1970, selected for its proximity to Sandoy and

456-566: A steep coast with heavy breakers, necessitating the extensive use of breakwaters . Construction started in 1987 but was put on hold in 1990 in the face of the Faroese economic crisis . The Faroese government had to deprioritise numerous projects, including the Vágatunnilin (which opened eventually in 2002), but for financial reasons it continued the works at Gamlarætt. It opened in May 1993 when

513-524: Is a ferry port in the Faroe Islands . It is situated on the southwestern side of the island of Streymoy , the largest island in the Faroes, between the villages of Velbastaður and Kirkjubøur . It accommodates ferry services to the islands of Sandoy and Hestur . The port is also used for local salmon farms . Until 1993 all ferry traffic to Sandoy operated from Tórshavn , on a northern route across Skopunarfjørður to Skopun and Hestur , and

570-470: Is possible that Brendan , an Irish monk, sailed past the islands during his North Atlantic voyage in the 6th century. He saw an 'Island of Sheep' and a 'Paradise of Birds', which some say could be the Faroes with its dense bird population and sheep. This does suggest however that other sailors had got there before him, to bring the sheep. Norsemen settled the Faroe Islands in the 9th or 10th century. The islands were officially converted to Christianity around

627-810: Is unique in the Faroes as it is the only settlement with the ending staður , meaning place or location. The name is by many considered the same as the Old Norse Vébólstaðr , meaning farm with a Vé or shrine . Vé (from the Old Norse ) was a type of sacred enclosure or a sanctuary. Locations with similar prefixes of Ve and histories of sacred locations, can be found several places in Norway , such as Vebbestad in Kvæstad, Troms or Veibust, in Sula, Møre og Romsdal . Gamlar%C3%A6tt Gamlarætt

SECTION 10

#1732793081176

684-545: The Viking age , but most locations used in those times have washed into the sea now. Velbastaður is located nearly in the center of the archipelago , and close to the old Thing in Tórshavn across the mountain. This would support the idea that there has been a shrine at Velbastaður. Tórshavn means the harbor of Thor . It was a natural harbor and would be a good place for travelers to land their ships and boats, and complete

741-426: The abbot Sweeney (Suibhne), how he had landed on islands in the far north after sailing "two days and a summer night in a little vessel of two banks of oars" ( in duobus aestivis diebus, et una intercedente nocte, navigans in duorum navicula transtrorum ). "Many other islands lie in the northerly British Ocean. One reaches them from the northerly islands of Britain, by sailing directly for two days and two nights with

798-539: The Act of Faroese Home Rule. Faroese was now an official language, though Danish is still taught as a second language in schools. The Faroese flag was also officially recognised by Danish authorities. In 1973 Denmark joined the European Community (now European Union). The Faroes refused to join, mainly over the issue of fishing limits. The 1980s saw an increase in support for Faroese independence. Unemployment

855-404: The Faroe Islands before Norse Viking settlers arrived in the ninth century AD. Scientific researchers found burnt grains of domesticated barley and peat ash deposited in two phases: the first dated between the mid-fourth and mid-sixth centuries, and another between the late-sixth and late-eighth centuries. Researchers have also found sheep DNA in lake-bed sediments, which were dated to around

912-512: The Faroe Islands due to his chaotic rule. This mass migration to the Faroe Islands shows a prior knowledge of the Viking settlements' locations, furthering the claim of Grímr Kamban's settlement much earlier. While Kamban is recognized as the first Viking settler of the Faroe Islands, his surname is of Gaelic origin. Writings from the Papar , an order of Irish monks, show that they left the Faroe Islands due to ongoing Viking raids. The name of

969-432: The Faroe Islands is proven by a runestone ( see Sandavágur stone ) found in the village of Sandavágur on Vágoy Island. It says: Þorkil Onundsson, austmaþr af Hrua-lande, byggþe þe(n)a staþ fyrst . This description "eastman" (from Norway) has to be seen together with the description "westman" (from Ireland/Scotland), which is to be found in local place-names such as " Vestmanna -havn" i.e. "Irishmen's harbour" in

1026-733: The Faroe Islands is recorded in the Færeyinga saga , whose original manuscript is lost. Portions of the tale were inscribed in three other sagas: the Flateyjarbók , the Saga of Óláfr Tryggvason , and AM 62 fol. Similar to other sagas, the historical credibility of the Færeyinga saga is highly questioned. Both the Saga of Ólafr Tryggvason and the Flateyjarbók claim that Grímr Kamban was

1083-594: The Faroe Isles, and " Vestmannaeyjar " i.e. "Irishmen's islands" in Iceland . According to Færeyinga saga there was an ancient institution on the headland called Tinganes in Tórshavn on the island of Streymoy . This was an Alþing or Althing (All-council.) This was the place where laws were made and disputes solved. All free men had the right to meet in the Alþing. It was a parliament and law court for all, thus

1140-475: The Faroes some time before the flight from Harald Hårfagre , perhaps even hundreds of years before. His first name, Grímr , is Norse, but his last, Kamban , suggests a Gaelic origin ( Cambán ). He may have been of mixed Norse and Irish origin and have come from a settlement in the British Isles : a so-called Norse-Gael . The Norse-Gaels had intermarried with speakers of Irish , a language also spoken at

1197-422: The Faroese national bank (Sjóvinnurbankin) called in receivers and was forced to ask Denmark for a huge financial bailout. The initial sum was 500 million DKK, though this eventually grew to 1.8 billion DKK (this was in addition to the annual grant of 1 billion DKK). Austerity measures were introduced: public spending was cut, there was a tax and VAT increase and public employees were given a 10% wage-cut. Much of

SECTION 20

#1732793081176

1254-466: The Irish saint Brendan visited islands resembling the Faroes in the sixth century. This description, however, is not conclusive. The earliest text which has been claimed to be a description of the Faroe Islands was written by the Irish monk Dicuil c.825 in his work Liber de Mensura Orbis Terrae (description of the sphere of the earth). Dicuil had met a "man worthy of trust" who related to his master,

1311-448: The UK had given an undertaking not to interfere in the internal affairs of the Faroe Islands nor to act without the permission of a liberated Denmark. The experience of wartime self-government was crucial in paving the way for formal autonomy in 1948. The British presence was broadly popular (particularly given the alternative of a German occupation). Approximately 150 marriages took place between British soldiers and Faroese women, although

1368-402: The annual catch being 100,000 in 1994, rising to 150,000 in 1995. In 1998 it was 375,000. Emigration also fell to 1% in 1995, and there was a small population increase in 1996. In addition, oil was discovered nearby. By the early 21st century weaknesses in the Faroese economy had been eliminated and, accordingly, many minds turned once again to the possibility of independence from Denmark. However,

1425-462: The blasting of the hairpin turns carved into the cliffside, seen in the photo above. The total costs are estimated at 130 million krones . When including the construction of ports in Skopun and Hestur and the new highway to Tórshavn, the entire project has an estimated cost of 300 million krones. Strandfaraskip Landsins operates three ferry routes from Gamlarætt: There is no ferry connection to

1482-591: The church (Fólkakirkjan) until 1939. During the Second World War , Denmark was invaded and occupied by Nazi Germany . The British subsequently made a pre-emptive invasion and occupation of the Faroes, known as Operation Valentine, to prevent a German invasion. Given their strategic location in the North Atlantic , the Faroes could have proved useful to Germany in the Battle of the Atlantic , possibly as

1539-437: The first man to discover the Faroe Islands. The two sources disagree, however, on the year in which he left and the circumstances of his departure. The Flateyjarbók details the emigration of Grímr Kamban as sometime during the reign of Harald Hårfagre , between 872 and 930 AD. The Saga of Óláfr Tryggvason indicates that Kamban was residing in the Faroes long before the rule of Harald Hårfagre, and that other Norse were driven to

1596-499: The fishing industry was put into receivership, with talk of cutting down the number of fish-farms and ships. It was during this period that many Faroese (6%) decided to emigrate, mainly to Denmark. Unemployment rose to as much as 20% in Tórshavn , and even higher in the outlying islands. In 1993 the Sjóvinnurbankin merged with the Faroe Islands' second largest bank, Føroya Banki. A third was declared bankrupt. Meanwhile, there

1653-508: The home rule/independence movement, though not all were in favour. Meanwhile, the Faroese economy was growing with the introduction of large-scale fishing. The Faroese were allowed access to the large Danish waters in the North Atlantic. Living standards subsequently improved and there was a population increase. Though Faroese was standardized as a written language in 1890, it was not allowed to be used in public schools until 1938, or in

1710-465: The islands (as vassal of Norway, however) and for some time they were part of the Sinclair principality in the North Atlantic. Archaeological excavations on the islands indicate sustained pig keeping up to and beyond the 13th century, a unique situation when compared to Iceland and Greenland . The Faroese at Junkarinsfløtti remained dependent upon bird resources, especially puffins, far longer and to

1767-540: The islands and trading monopoly once more to the central government. However, they too struggled to keep the economy going, and many merchants were trading at a loss. Finally, on 1 January 1856 the trading monopoly was abolished. The Faroe Islands, Iceland and Greenland became a part of Denmark at the Peace of Kiel in 1814, when the union of Denmark–Norway was dissolved. In 1816 the Løgting (the Faroese parliament)

Velbastaður - Misplaced Pages Continue

1824-539: The islands is first recorded on the Hereford Mappa Mundi (1280), where they are labelled farei . The name has long been understood as based on Old Norse fár "livestock", thus fær-øer "sheep islands". The main historical source for this period is the 13th-century work Færeyinga saga ( Saga of the Faroese ), though it is disputed as to how much of this work is historical fact. Færeyinga saga only exists today as copies in other sagas, in particular

1881-467: The junction towards Kirkjubøur, some 1.3 kilometres (0.81 mi) uphill. The Sandoyartunnilin opened in 2023 and it goes from Gamlarætt towards Sandoy.. The tunnel mouth is located right next to the ferry jetty. It replaced the ferry service to Sandoy, but Gamlarætt is still in use for the service to Hestur. In future, this might provide a stepping stone for the Suðuroyartunnilin . After

1938-641: The manuscripts called Saga of Óláfr Tryggvason , Flateyjarbók and one registered as AM 62 fol. According to Flateyjarbók, Grímr Kamban settled in Faroe when Harald Hårfagre was king of Norway (872–930). A slightly different account is found in the version of Færeyinga saga in Ólafs Saga Tryggvasonar: Maður er nefndur Grímur kamban; hann byggði fyrstur manna Færeyjar. En á dögum Haralds hins hárfagra flýðu fyrir hans ofríki fjöldi manna; settust sumir í Færeyjum og byggðu þar, en sumir leituðu til annarra eyðilanda . The text suggests that Grímr Kamban settled in

1995-550: The name. Historians estimate the Alþing to have been established from 800 to 900. The islands were officially converted to Christianity around the year 1000, with the Diocese of the Faroe Islands based at Kirkjubøur , southern Streymoy , of which there were 33 Catholic bishops. The Faroes became a part of the Kingdom of Norway in 1035. Early in the 11th century Sigmund or Sigmundur Brestisson , whose family had flourished in

2052-557: The old faiths. The village was deserted for some time after the Black Death in 1349. The population of the village has increased in recent years from 134 in 1990, to 220 in 2015, mainly due to its close proximity to the capital Tórshavn , while still preserving the feeling of living in the countryside. A new residential and industrial area is being built on the rocks being excavated from the Sandoy tunnel . The place name Velbastaður

2109-427: The old ferry Tróndur started using the new jetty and route, reducing crossing times from Streymoy to Skopun from 1.15 hour (2.5 hours via Hestur) down to 30 minutes. The direct ferry services to other villages on Sandoy ceased. In 2001 the purpose-built ferry Teistin took over the route and Tróndur was decommissioned. Gamlarætt consists of 540 metres of breakwater, which was built with broken rocks created by

2166-497: The opening, Gamlarætt remains the port-of-access to Hestur, though additional uses for the terrain may be found for example tourism and recreational purposes. 61°57′45″N 6°49′07″W  /  61.96250°N 6.81861°W  / 61.96250; -6.81861 History of the Faroe Islands Chronological history The early details of the history of the Faroe Islands are unclear. It

2223-466: The outfield), Irish áirge (byre, milking place: Mod. Irish áirí ). The discovery at Toftanes on Eysturoy of wooden devotional crosses apparently modelled on Irish or Scottish exemplars suggests that some of the settlers were Christian. It has also been suggested that the typical curvilinear stone-built walls enclosing early ecclesiastical sites in the Faroes (as in Norse settlements elsewhere) reflect

2280-534: The powerful German companies backed Christian II, but he eventually lost. In 1537 the new King Christian III gave the German trader Thomas Köppen exclusive trading rights in the Faroes . These rights were subject to the following conditions: only good quality goods were to be supplied by the Faroese and were to be made in numbers proportionate to the rest of the market; the goods were to be bought at their market value; and

2337-404: The relatively calm waters. The latest proposal for a new ferry port surfaced in 1983, again selecting Kirkjubøur . However, locals argued the ferry port would harm the village's important historic character . Eventually the Løgting decided in 1986 to construct the ferry port north of Kirkjubøur at a site only locally known, named Gamlarætt or in translation 'the old sheepfold'. This site has

Velbastaður - Misplaced Pages Continue

2394-569: The scale of the British presence on Vágar did lead to some local tensions. The British presence also left a lasting popularity for British chocolate and sweets, which are readily available in Faroese shops but uncommon in Denmark. Following the liberation of Denmark and the end of World War II, the last British troops left in September 1945. Until 1948 the Faroes had the official status of a Danish amt (county). A referendum on full independence

2451-405: The southern islands but had been almost exterminated by invaders from the islands of the north, was sent from Norway, to where he had escaped, to take possession of the islands for Olaf Tryggvason , king of Norway. He introduced Christianity, and, though he was subsequently murdered, Norwegian supremacy was upheld and continued. King Sverre of Norway was brought up in the Faroes, being stepson of

2508-486: The supply of Faroese goods and a reduction in quality. With the trading monopoly nearing collapse smuggling and piracy were rife. The Danish king tried to solve the problem by giving the Faroes to the courtier Christoffer Gabel (and later on his son, Frederick) as a personal feudal estate. However, the Gabel rule was harsh and repressive, breeding much resentment in the Faroese. This caused Denmark–Norway, in 1708, to entrust

2565-653: The time in Scotland (being the ancestor of Scottish Gaelic ). Evidence of a mixed cultural background in later settlers may be found in the Norse-Irish ring pins found in the Faroe Islands, and in features of Faroese vocabulary. Examples of such words (derived from Middle Irish) are: "blak/blaðak" ( buttermilk ), Irish bláthach ; "drunnur" (animal tail), Irish dronn (chine); "grúkur" ( head ), Irish gruaig (hair); "lámur" (hand, paw), Irish lámh (hand); "tarvur" ( bull ), Irish tarbh ; and "ærgi" ( pasture in

2622-437: The traders were to deal fairly and honestly with the Faroese. Christian III also introduced Lutheranism to the Faroes, to replace Catholicism . This process took five years to complete, in which time Danish was used instead of Latin and church property was transferred to the state. The bishopric at Kirkjubøur, south of Tórshavn , where remains of the cathedral may be seen, was also abolished. After Köppen, others took over

2679-525: The trading monopoly, though the economy suffered as a result of the Dano-Swedish war between Denmark–Norway and Sweden. During this period of the monopoly most Faroese goods ( wool products, fish, meat) were taken to the Netherlands, where they were sold at pre-determined prices. The guidelines of the trading agreement, however, were often ignored or corrupted. This caused delays and shortages in

2736-415: The travel overland, if conditions on the southwestern coast were disagreeable. The location of Kirkjubø , only 5 km to the south east on the same coast, supports the notion that there was a heathen shrine at Velbastað. The early Christian church would often locate their headquarters as close as possible to sacred heathen locations, making it easier to subdue and convert the most hardcore supporters of

2793-498: The uninhabited island of Koltur . From Gamlarætt there is a modern highway to Tórshavn , which takes circa 15 minutes by car. Strandfaraskip Landsins operates route 101 from Tórshavn to meet departures to Sandoy. Buses do not call in Velbastaður (village) or Kirkjubøur, but can stop at junctions on request. Tórshavn's local Bussleiðin routes 6 and 8 doesn't stop at Gamlarætt port, though passengers can embark and disembark at

2850-473: The year 1000, and became a part of the Kingdom of Norway in 1035. Norwegian rule on the islands continued until 1380, when the islands became part of the dual Denmark–Norway kingdom , under king Olaf II of Denmark . Following the 1814 Treaty of Kiel that ended the dual Denmark–Norway kingdom, the Faroe Islands remained under the administration of Denmark as a county . During World War II , after Denmark

2907-476: The year 500. Barley and sheep had to have been brought to the islands by humans. It is unlikely the Norse would have sailed near the Faroes long before the early 800s. The first settlers may have come from the British Isles. Archaeologist Mike Church suggested that the people living there might have been from Ireland, Scotland or Scandinavia, or from all three. According to a ninth-century voyage tale ,

SECTION 50

#1732793081176

2964-578: Was a growing international boycott of Faroese produce because of the grindadráp (whaling) issue. The independence movement dissolved on the one hand while Denmark found itself left with the Faroe Islands' unpaid bills on the other. Recuperative measures were put in place and largely worked. Unemployment peaked in January 1994 at 26%, since which it fell (10% in mid-1996, 5% in April 2000). The fishing industry survived largely intact. Fish stocks also rose, with

3021-543: Was forced to desist after the Black Death decimated its population. Norwegian supremacy continued until 1380, when the islands became part of the Kalmar Union . The islands were still a possession of the Norwegian crown since the crowns had not been joined. In 1380 the Alþting was renamed the Løgting , though it was by now little more than a law court. In 1390s, Henry I Sinclair, Earl of Orkney , took possession of

3078-478: Was held in 1946, which produced a majority in favour. This was, however, not recognised by the Danish Government or king due to only 2/3 of the population participating in the referendum, so the Danish king abolished the government of the Faroes. The subsequent elections Løgting were won by an anti-independence majority and instead a high degree of self-governance was attained in 1948 with the passing of

3135-526: Was occupied by Nazi Germany , the British invaded and occupied the Faroe Islands until shortly after the end of the war. Following an independence referendum in 1946 that took place unrecognized by Denmark, the Faroe Islands were in 1948 granted extended self-governance with the Danish Realm with the signing of the Home Rule Act of the Faroe Islands . There is some evidence of settlement on

3192-565: Was officially abolished and replaced by a Danish judiciary. Danish was introduced as the main language, whilst Faroese was discouraged. In 1849 a new constitution came into use in Denmark and was promulgated in the Faroes in 1850, giving the Faroese two seats in the Rigsdag (Danish parliament). The Faroese, however, managed in 1852 to re-establish the Løgting as a county council with an advisory role, with many people hoping for eventual independence. The late 19th century saw increasing support for

3249-487: Was very low, and the Faroese were enjoying one of the world's highest standards of living, but the Faroese economy was almost entirely reliant on fishing. The early 1990s saw a dramatic slump in fish stocks, which were being overfished with new high-tech equipment. During the same period the government was also engaged in massive overspending. National debt was now at 9.4 billion Danish krones ( DKK ). Finally, in October 1992,

#175824