Vestmanna

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See also Vestmannaeyjar.
Vestmanna
Vestmannahavn
Municipality and village
Vestmanna
Location of Vestmanna kommuna in the Faroe Islands
Vestmanna
Location of Vestmanna village in the Faroe Islands
Coordinates: 62°09′23″N 7°09′59″W / 62.15639°N 7.16639°W / 62.15639; -7.16639Coordinates: 62°09′23″N 7°09′59″W / 62.15639°N 7.16639°W / 62.15639; -7.16639
State  Kingdom of Denmark
Constituent country  Faroe Islands
Island Streymoy
Population (2009)
 • Total 1,256
Time zone GMT
 • Summer (DST) EST (UTC+1)
Postal code FO 350

Vestmanna (Danish: Vestmannahavn) is a town in the Faroe Islands on the west of the island of Streymoy.

It was formerly a ferry port, until an undersea tunnel was built from Vágar to Kvívík and Stykkið. The cliffs west of Vestmanna, Vestmannabjørgini, are very popular for excursions by boat.

A 'Vestmann' was a "Westman", or Gael in Old Norse. The original name was Vestmannahavn, i.e. "Westmen's/Irishmen's harbour".

History

In December 1759, during the Seven Years' War, François Thurot's squadron sheltered from stormy conditions at Vestmanna. The lack of supplies available from the islanders motivated the subsequent raids by the squadron on the north Irish coast.

Geography

It is surrounded by the mountains of Hægstafjall (296 m or 971 ft), Økslin (317 m or 1,040 ft), Loysingafjall (639 m or 2,096 ft), Moskurfjall (624 m or 2,047 ft).

Power plant

Tourism

Vestmanna is often called the tourist village on the Faroe Islands. The main tourist attraction is Vestmannabjørgini. In 2012 a camping site was established at Inni á Fjørð with a capacity of 120 caravans in addition to tents.

Photos from Vestmannabjørgini and Vestmanna

  • Boat trip to Vestmannabjørgini (Cliffs of Vestmanna).

  • Vestmannabjørgini (Cliffs of Vestmanna).

  • A Sea Stack West of Vestmanna.

  • The Viking Wax-museum in Vestmanna.

  • Fjarðastevna Cup 2012 in Vestmanna (kappróður)

  • VÍF is the sports club from Vestmanna. Here they play handball in yellow and blue.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Vestmanna.

See also

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