Stóra Dímun

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Stóra Dímun is an island in the southern Faroe Islands with an area of 2.5 km², sometimes only referred to as Dímun. The island is only accessible from sea during periods of clear and calm weather, but regular helicopter service is available twice a week trough the whole year.

Before 1920 the ruins of an old church were present, but these are no longer extant. There are two peaks on Stóra Dímun: Høgoyggj (396 m) and Klettarnir (308 m). The island was once home to many families from the 13th century onward, but now only two families of ten people make their home on the island. The Færeyinga Saga (Saga of the Faroese) partly took place on this island.

The name 'Stóra Dímun' means 'Great Dimun', in contrast to 'Lítla Dímun' or 'Little Dimun'. According to the Faroese placename expert Jakobsen, 'Dimun' may represent a pre-Norse, Celtic placename element, with 'di' representing 'two'.

[edit] Gallery

Stóra Dímun Stamp FO 475 of Postverk Føroya Issued: 16 Jan 2004 Photo: Absalon Hansen

Coast of Stóra Dímun Stamp FO 490 of Postverk Føroya Issued: 2004

The farm on the remote island of Stóra Dímun Photo: Erik Christensen

Puffins (Fratercula arctica) on Stóra Dímun Photo: Erik Christensen

[edit] External links

• personal website with 4 aerial photos

Coordinates: 61°41′49″N, 6°44′56″W