Vestmanna

Last updated
Vestmanna
Municipality and village
Vestmanna, Faroe Islands (7).JPG
Vestmanna in 2002
Map-position-vestmanna-kommuna-2005.png
Location of Vestmanna kommuna in the Faroe Islands
Faroe Islands location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Vestmanna
Location of Vestmanna village in the Faroe Islands
Coordinates: 62°09′23″N7°09′59″W / 62.15639°N 7.16639°W / 62.15639; -7.16639
StateFlag of Denmark.svg  Kingdom of Denmark
Constituent countryFlag of the Faroe Islands.svg  Faroe Islands
Island Streymoy
Population
 (January 2025) [1]
  Total
1,252
Time zone GMT
  Summer (DST) UTC+1 (WEST)
Postal code
FO 350
Climate Cfc
Website https://vestmanna.fo/

Vestmanna is a town in the Faroe Islands on the west of the island of Streymoy.

Contents

It was formerly a ferry port, until an undersea tunnel, the Vágatunnilin, was built from Vágar to Kvívík and Stykkið further south on Streymoy. 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), and Moskurfjall (624 m or 2,047 ft).

Local power plant Vestmanna, Faroe Islands (9).JPG
Local power plant

Tourism

Vestmanna is often called the tourist village of 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

See also

References