Tórshavn
Tórshavn | |
---|---|
Javnaðarflokkurin) | |
Elevation | 24 m (79 ft) |
Population (January 2024)[1] | |
• City | 14,099 |
• Urban | 23,194[1] |
population-ranking: 1st | |
Postal code | FO-100, FO-110 |
Climate | Cfc |
Website | www |
Tórshavn (Faroese: [ˈtʰɔu̯ʂhau̯n] ⓘ; lit. 'Thor's harbour'), usually locally referred to as simply Havn, is the capital and largest city of the Faroe Islands. It is located in the southern part on the east coast of Streymoy. To the northwest of the city lies the 347-meter-high (1,138 ft) mountain Húsareyn, and to the southwest, the 350-meter-high (1,150 ft) Kirkjubøreyn. They are separated by the Sandá River. The city itself has a population of 14,099 (2024), and the greater urban area has a population of 23,194, including the suburbs of Hoyvík and Argir.
The
Tórshavn thus became the capital of the Faroe Islands and has remained so ever since. Early on, Tórshavn became the centre of the islands' trade monopoly, thereby being the only legal place for the islanders to sell and buy goods. In 1856, the trade monopoly was abolished and the islands were left open to free trade.History
Early history
It is not known whether the site of Tórshavn was of interest to the Irish monks who were probably the first settlers in the Faroes. The Viking settlers in the 9th century established their own parliaments, called tings, in different parts of the islands, it being the tradition in each case to hold the ting at a neutral and thus uninhabited place, so no one location gave anyone an advantage. According to romantics, the main ting for the islands was convoked in Tórshavn in 825, on Tinganes,[3] the peninsula that divides the harbour into two parts: Eystaravág and Vestaravág.
The settlers would thus meet on the flat rocks of Tinganes every summer, as the most central place on the islands, although there was no settlement at Tinganes at that time. The
All through the Middle Ages, the narrow peninsula jutting out into the sea made up the main part of Tórshavn. It belonged to the outfield of two farmers. Unlike other Faroese villages, Tórshavn was never a distinct farming community. During the 12th century, all trade between Norway and the Faroes, along with other tributary islands to the west, became centralised in Bergen.
In 1271, a royal trade monopoly was established in Tórshavn by the Norwegian Crown. According to a document from 1271, two ships would sail regularly to Tórshavn from Bergen with cargoes of salt, timber and cereal. Tórshavn therefore had more contact with the outside world than the other villages did. Under the Norwegian, and then Danish rule, government officials made Tórshavn their home. All of these things, combined with the fact that Tórshavn was the seat of the ting of the islands, influenced the town's development.
1500–1800
Sources do not mention a built-up area in Tórshavn until after the Protestant reformation in 1539. In c. 1580 a small fort, Skansin, was built by the Faroese naval hero and trader Magnus Heinason at the north end of the harbour. Later, small fortifications were built at Tinganes.
In 1584, Tórshavn had 101 inhabitants. The population was divided into three equally large groups made up of farmers, their families and servants, trade and government officials and people who owned no land and therefore not much else; this included the landless proletariat from the villages that during this period came to Tórshavn in search of work. They were set to guard duty on Skansin without pay, and for clothing and food they depended on the bounty of the farmers.
In 1655, king
Conditions improved in Tórshavn when the trade monopoly became a royal monopoly in 1709. The Danish royal trade monopoly was supplied with goods from Copenhagen three times a year. However, Tórshavn was hit by a plague of smallpox in 1709, killing nearly the entire population. The town had dissipated reached a population of 300 before the outbreak; 250 of the inhabitants died from the disease. Still, it was during the latter half of the 18th century that Tórshavn started to develop into a small town. This was while Niels Ryberg was in charge of the trade monopoly. From 1768 (and during the next 20 years onwards) Ryberg was allowed to carry on an entrepot trade which was mainly based on smuggling to England. Because of the French-British conflict there was room for this kind of operation. In Tórshavn his warehouses filled up with goods. Ryberg was the first person who thought of making a financial profit from fishing, which later became the most important economic factor to the islands. He experimented with salted cod and herring but at this point in time nothing much beyond this happened.
Tórshavn Cathedral was first built in 1788 and partly rebuilt in 1865. Since 1990, it has been the seat of the Bishop of the Faroe Islands (in the Church of the Faroe Islands).
1800–present
On 30 March 1808, during the Anglo-Danish Gunboat War, the Cruizer-class brig-sloop HMS Clio entered Tórshavn and briefly captured the fort at Skansin. The fort surrendered without firing a shot as the landing party approached. The Clio's men spiked the fort's eight 18-pounder guns and took all the smaller guns and weapons before leaving. Shortly after 6 May, a German privateer who had assumed the name "Baron von Hompesch" plundered the defenceless city and seized the property of the Danish Crown Monopoly. The Admiralty Prize Court, however, refused to condemn it as a lawful prize.[citation needed]
In 1856, free trade came to the Faroe Islands. By opening the islands to the world, it transformed the economy, with Tórshavn at its centre. [4]
In 1866, Tórshavn's town council was founded. The town has been the capital of the Faroe Islands ever since. Later, in 1909, Tórshavn became a market town with the same municipal charter as Danish market towns. In 1913, the Danish Folketing granted DKK 810,000 to construction of a harbour in Tórshavn. Local waves are 3 m (9.8 ft)[clarification needed], the waters are ice free and have a tidal variation of 0.3 m (1 ft 0 in), and storms from the west are mitigated by the gentle eastwards slope of the mountains. Other harbours were also benefitted with an 80% grant to a total build cost of DKK 1.6 million.[5] In 1927, Tórshavn had a modern harbour built. This made it possible for larger ships to berth.[6]
During the
In 1974, the neighbouring villages Hoyvík and Hvítanes were made part of the town area. Later, even more municipalities joined the Tórshavn municipality. In 1978 Kaldbak, in 1997 Argir, in 2001 Kollafjørður, and finally in 2005, Kirkjubøur, Hestur, and Nólsoy.
Climate
Tórshavn, Faroe Islands | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Climate chart (explanation) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Tórshavn features a
Average monthly precipitation is highest in autumn and winter, peaking in January, due to the activity of the Icelandic Low. May, June and July, on the other hand, are markedly drier but still receive substantial rainfall.
Climate data for Tórshavn (1991–2020, extremes 1961–2021) | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °C (°F) | 11.6 (52.9) |
13.0 (55.4) |
12.3 (54.1) |
18.3 (64.9) |
19.7 (67.5) |
20.0 (68.0) |
20.2 (68.4) |
22.0 (71.6) |
19.5 (67.1) |
16.3 (61.3) |
14.7 (58.5) |
13.2 (55.8) |
22.0 (71.6) |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 6.2 (43.2) |
6.0 (42.8) |
6.4 (43.5) |
7.6 (45.7) |
9.3 (48.7) |
11.3 (52.3) |
12.9 (55.2) |
13.3 (55.9) |
11.9 (53.4) |
9.6 (49.3) |
7.6 (45.7) |
6.5 (43.7) |
9.0 (48.2) |
Daily mean °C (°F) | 4.3 (39.7) |
4.0 (39.2) |
4.3 (39.7) |
5.5 (41.9) |
7.1 (44.8) |
9.1 (48.4) |
10.8 (51.4) |
11.2 (52.2) |
10.0 (50.0) |
7.8 (46.0) |
5.8 (42.4) |
4.5 (40.1) |
7.0 (44.6) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 2.1 (35.8) |
1.6 (34.9) |
2.0 (35.6) |
3.2 (37.8) |
5.0 (41.0) |
7.3 (45.1) |
9.1 (48.4) |
9.3 (48.7) |
8.1 (46.6) |
5.7 (42.3) |
3.6 (38.5) |
2.2 (36.0) |
4.9 (40.8) |
Record low °C (°F) | −8.8 (16.2) |
−11.0 (12.2) |
−9.2 (15.4) |
−9.9 (14.2) |
−3.0 (26.6) |
0.0 (32.0) |
1.5 (34.7) |
1.5 (34.7) |
−0.6 (30.9) |
−4.5 (23.9) |
−7.2 (19.0) |
−10.5 (13.1) |
−11.0 (12.2) |
Average precipitation mm (inches) | 167.3 (6.59) |
131.2 (5.17) |
129.5 (5.10) |
95.4 (3.76) |
70.3 (2.77) |
63.1 (2.48) |
71.2 (2.80) |
93.4 (3.68) |
118.1 (4.65) |
146.8 (5.78) |
155.2 (6.11) |
157.7 (6.21) |
1,399.2 (55.1) |
Average precipitation days (≥ 1 mm) | 20.7 | 17.3 | 18.9 | 14.7 | 12.2 | 9.2 | 11.0 | 12.9 | 15.9 | 19.0 | 19.8 | 20.4 | 192 |
Average snowy days | 8.3 | 6.6 | 8.0 | 4.4 | 1.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 1.4 | 5.5 | 8.2 | 44.0 |
Average relative humidity (%)
|
89 | 88 | 88 | 87 | 87 | 88 | 89 | 90 | 89 | 89 | 88 | 89 | 88 |
Mean monthly sunshine hours | 29.8 | 53.0 | 91.5 | 116.2 | 157.8 | 135.4 | 106.9 | 101.6 | 88.9 | 59.7 | 38.6 | 22.7 | 1,002.1 |
Source: Danish Meteorological Institute (humidity 1961–1990, snowy days 1961–1990, sun 2007-2020),[9][8] infoclimat.fr[10] (record high) |
Coastal temperature data for Tórshavn | |||||||||||||
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Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Average sea temperature °C (°F) | 7.0 (44.60) |
6.6 (43.88) |
6.8 (44.24) |
7.0 (44.60) |
7.6 (45.68) |
8.5 (47.30) |
9.8 (49.64) |
10.5 (50.90) |
10.4 (50.72) |
9.8 (49.64) |
8.8 (47.84) |
8.0 (46.40) |
8.4 (47.12) |
Source 1: Seatemperature.net[11] |
Politics and government
Tórshavn is the capital of the Faroe Islands, and as such is the seat of the Faroes’ self rule government. The government holds the executive power in local government affairs. Today a part of the government is located on the Tinganes peninsula of Tórshavn. The Prime Minister's office is there and the Ministry of Internal Affairs was also there until it was closed in 2013. The other ministries are located in other office buildings in various places in Tórshavn, i.e. the Ministry of Health[12] and the Ministry of Social Affairs[13] are located near the Hospital of the Faroes in Eirargarður, and the Ministry of Finance is located in Argir in a building called Albert Hall on the street Kvíggjartún.[14] The parliament, the Løgting, which was originally located on Tinganes, was relocated to the town square, Vaglið, in 1856.
Mayors of Tórshavn
Nº | Mayor (Party) | Term | |
---|---|---|---|
1. | Poul Michelsen (A) | 1980-1991 | |
2. | Lisbeth L. Petersen (B) | 1991-1997 | |
3. | Leivur Hansen (E) | 1997-2001 | |
4. | Jan Christiansen (A) | 2001-2005 | |
5. | Heðin Mortensen (C) | 2005-2016 | |
6. | Annika Olsen (A) | 2016-2020 | |
7. | Heðin Mortensen (C) | 2020- |
Sport
Tórshavn, as the capital city, is the centre of sport in the islands; the largest sports centre is located in the Gundadalur district of Tórshavn. Also, the largest football stadium, Tórsvøllur, is located here, seating 6,000 spectators. The stadium serves as home to the Faroe Islands national football team. Around the city there are also two other football pitches, indoor tennis courts, badminton courts and a swimming pool.
The city has several football clubs, including three
Every year in July the
Music
The Tórshavn Jazz Festival has been held annually since 1983. It attracts musicians from all over North America and Europe and has become a popular tourist event.
Transport
The harbour is served by the Smyril Line international ferry service to Denmark and Iceland. The harbour is also used by domestic ferry services of Strandfaraskip Landsins within the Faroe Islands, chiefly on the route to Tvøroyri.
The town is served by Bussleiðin – a network of local buses, with the service identified by its red livery. Bussleiðin has five routes and is operated under contract by Gundurs Bussar P/F. Buses within Tórshavn have been completely free of charge since 2007. In addition, there is a helipad by the coast.
Sites of interest
- Tinganes, the old part of town, is still made up of small wooden houses covered with turf roofs. The oldest one dates back 500 years.
- Tórshavn Cathedral, the second oldest church in the country.
- Tórshavn harbour.
- Fort Skansin, a historic site dating back to the sixteenth century
- Listasavn Føroya, the Faroese art museum.
- The main church, Vesturkirkjan, with outside art work by Hans Pauli Olsen.
- The Nordic House in the Faroe Islands, the most important cultural institution in the Faroes.
- The historical museum in Hoyvík, with all its treasures.
- The museum of Natural History, with a small botanical garden with 150 Faroese plants.
- Niels Finsens gøta, Tórshavn's only pedestrianised street.
Institutions in Tórshavn
- Landstýrið, is the Faroese parliament and government with all its national institutions.
- Kringvarp Føroya (Faroese national television and radio) which is publicly owned.
- University of the Faroe Islands, situated next to the national archives, a navigational college, a teachers college, etc.
- Postverk Føroyais the postal service of the Faroe Islands.
- A number of countries have a Consulate-General in Tórshavn, including all Nordic countries and several EU countries.[17]
- Føroya Studentaskúli og HF-Skeið is the largest and oldest high school in the country. It is located just outside Tórshavn.
Notable natives and inhabitants
- Niels Ryberg Finsen (1860–1904), winner of the Nobel Prize in Medicine and Physiology 1903.
- Belgian Empire.[18]
- Petur Alberg (1885–1940), composer, most famous for composing the national anthem.
- Janus Djurhuus (1881–1948), writer
- Andrea Árting (1891–1988), trade union leader
- William Heinesen (1900–1991), writer, poet, composer and painter.
- Jørgen-Frantz Jacobsen (1900–1938), writer.
- Høgni Reistrup (1984), musician, singer and songwriter.
- Ingálvur av Reyni (1920–2005), painter.
- Janus Kamban (1913–2009), sculptor.
- Zacharias Heinesen (1936), painter.
- Lisbeth L. Petersen (1939), politician.
- Guðrið Helmsdal (1941), writer.
- Katrin Ottarsdóttir (1957), filmmaker.
- Carl Jóhan Jensen (1957), writer.
- Týr, folk metal band.
- Óli Jógvansson (1969), songwriter and composer.
- Bárður Oskarsson (1972), writer and illustrator.
- Guðrið Hansdóttir (1980), singer, songwriter.
- Teitur Lassen (1977), singer, songwriter.
- Bárður Háberg (1979), songwriter and composer.
- Christian Mouritsen (1988), footballer.
- Gunnar Nielsen (1986), footballer.
- Rógvi Baldvinsson (1989), footballer.
- Súni Olsen (1981), footballer.
- Greta Svabo Bech (1987), singer.
- Sarah Mahfoud (1989), boxer.
- Helgi Dam Ziska (1990), chess player.
- Magnus Jákupsson (1994), swimmer.
- Reiley (1997), singer, social media influencer
Gallery
-
Eystaravág
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City bus on the Norðari Ringvegur
-
View over central Tórshavn
-
Vestaravág
-
Niels Finsens Gøta
-
The British cannon at Skansin
-
Tórshavn cathedral
-
Bryggjubakki street at night
-
The municipal park
-
Alleys of Tinganes
-
Tórshavn from Oyggjarvegur
Twin cities
This section needs additional citations for verification. (February 2012) |
Tórshavn is
- Esbjerg, Denmark
- Birkerød, Denmark
- Asker, Norway
- Garðabær, Iceland
- Reykjavík, Iceland[19]
- Jakobstad, Finland
- Mariehamn, Åland[20]
- Eslöv, Sweden
- Riolunato, Italy
See also
- List of towns in the Faroe Islands
References
- ^ a b Population, municipalities and villages Statistics Faroe Islands
- ^ "Tórshavn Municipality". Tórshavn Municipality.
- ^ "Sightseeing". Visit Faroe Islands. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
- ^ "History and politics". www.studyinfaroeislands.fo. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
- ^ Jagd, N (27 September 1913). "Havne paa Færøerne". e-pages.dk. Ingeniøren. pp. 505–513.
- ISBN 99918-914-4-7.
- ^ British 5.5"/50 (14 cm) BL Mark I
- ^ a b "Klimanormaler for Færøerne". Danish Meteorological Institute (in Danish). Retrieved 25 November 2021.
- ^ "Monthly means and extremes 1961–1990 and 1981–2010 for air temperature, atmospheric pressure, hours of bright sunshine and precipitation–Denmark, The Faroe Islands and Greenland" (PDF). Danish Meteorological Institute. January 2011. pp. 16–19. Retrieved 18 January 2015.
- ^ "Normales et records pour la période 1991-2020 à Thorshavn". Retrieved 25 November 2021.
- ^ "Tórshavn Sea Temperature". seatemperature.net. 25 April 2023. Archived from the original on 25 April 2023.
- ^ "Ministry of Health Affairs". The government of the Faroe Islands. Archived from the original on 11 July 2015.
- ^ "Ministry of Social Affairs". The government of the Faroe Islands.
- ^ "Ministry of Finance". The government of the Faroe Islands.
- ^ "ISF.fo Faroese confederation of sports and Olympic committee". Ítróttasamband Føroya.
- ^ "Effo Kring Føroyar (Tour de Faroe)". Tórshavnar súkklufelag (Bycycle club of Tórshavn) (in Faroese).
- ^ "Search results - EmbassyPages.com". Retrieved 27 December 2023.
- ^ Maye, Brian (14 December 2014). "Daniel J Danielsen – a pioneering humanitarian who helped Roger Casement expose the horror of Belgian rule in the Congo". The Irish Times. Retrieved 27 December 2015.
- ^ "Torshavn.fo, Vina- og samstarvsbýir". Tórshavn Municipality (in Faroese).
- ^ "Mariehamns stads vänorter". Archived from the original on 1 December 2008.
Sources
- Havsteen-Mikkelsen, Sven (1995) Føroyinga søga (Bjarni Niclasen, týddi; Jørgen Haugan, skrivaði eftirmæli. Tórshavn: Føroya skúlabókagrunnur)
External links
- Tórshavn Municipality website
- Tórshavn travel guide from Wikivoyage