Varmakelda

At Fuglafjørður’s southern coast, 18-degree warm water seeps up through a crack in the bedrock. The small spring is called Varmakelda, the hot spring, and it is warm both in summer and winter. Already in Catholic times, i.e. before 1537, the spring was frequently visited as its water was supposed to have healing powers. The powers of the spring were believed to be strongest on the night between the 3rd and 4th of July. The custom of visiting the spring never completely stopped.

Since 1952, Fuglafjørður has held its annual summer festival, Varmakeldustevna, the hot spring festival, on the first weekend of July. The opening of the festival takes place at the spring where people light fires, dance chain dances and give speeches. They also drink from the spring, which, in addition to its healing effect, is also supposed to be an aphrodisiac. You can also bottle water from the spring for later use or for others who need it.

Further reading

• Association activities and volunteering on the Faroe Islands
• Bundni Steinurin (The Knitted Rock)
• Crafts and design on the Faroe Islands
• Eating and dining on the Faroe Islands
• Museums of cultural history and heritage on the Faroe Islands
• Tradition and tales on the Faroe Islands

Read more about Culture on the Faroe Islands