Viðareiði

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Viðareiði's church is known for its grand views of the surrounding islands

Viðareiði looking westwards

Viðareiði [ˈviːjaɹˌaijɪ] (literally: Wood-Isthmus, Danish: Viderejde) is the northernmost settlement in the Faroe Islands and lies on the Island of Viðoy, which belongs to the Norðoyar Region.

Population: 347 (December 31, 2002)
Postal Code: FO-740
Municipality: Viðareiðis kommuna

Viðareiði is claimed to be the one of the most beautiful villages of the Faroes by both natives and tourists. It lies on an isthmus with high mountains to both the north and south.

The community is linked overland by a dam and tunnel system to the regional center of Klaksvík on Borðoy. The road to Viðareiði goes along the west coast of Viðoy, through the town, and then along the island's east coast to the uninhabited Miðdalur Valley with its typical small waterfall.

To the north, Mount Villingdalsfjall rises over 844 m from the water. It is the highest mountain in the North Islands and the third-largest in the entire Faroese archipelago. The north coast is marked by Cape Enniberg, the highest cliff in the world (754 m). Looking to the west from Viðareiði, one has a view of the mighty northern peaks of Borðoy and Kunoy. Turning around, one can see through the crag and tails of the isthmus to the eastern Island of Fugloy. Finally, to the south of the town, the 751 m high cone-shaped mountain of Malinsfjall can be seen during good weather. Viðareiði is a departure point for a vast area of hiking. In the community, there is not only a small grocery store, but also the Hotel Norð with its restaurant that serves traditional cuisine.

[edit] History

In the 17th century, the old church was destroyed in a storm. It is said that a part of the cemetery was washed away by the sea and that coffins from the cemetery were recovered in Hvannasund and reburied in Viðareiði.

The current church was built in 1892. The church silver is a gift from the British government, thanking the Viðareiði's citizens for the rescue of the Brig Marwood, which was shiprecked near Viðareiði during a winter storm in 1847.