Skálafjørður (Settlement)

© Styrelsen for Dataforsyning og Infrastruktur
The undersea tunnel, the Eysturoy Tunnel, was built in the period 2016‑1920 and is the Faroe Islands’ largest structure to date. It connects both sides of Skálafjørður on Eysturoy and Tórshavn on Streymoy. Tróndur Patursson created the artwork that was fitted around the tunnel’s roundabout. The chain of people holding each other’s hands gives associations to the traditional Faroese chain dance, but should, according to the artist, be understood as a broader portrait of Faroese unity as a prerequisite for the development of society. Eyðun Eliasen is the architect behind the portals and the light in the tunnel, which has several colours. ÓLAVUR FREDERIKSEN/TRAP FAROE ISLANDS, 2021

The outlying village of Skálafjørður or Skálabotnur, located at the bottom of the fjord Skálafjørður, was first mentioned in 1630. Here the river Fjarðará runs into the fjord at a sandy beach.

The Christian Keldan congregation settled here in 1987, and a large centre with a well-equipped meeting hall was built in 2004. The Keldan congregation also runs a private independent school with classes from 0 to 7th grade. Skálafjørður has 132 inhabitants.

Further reading

Read more about The islands, towns and settlements

  • Jóan Pauli Joensen

    (b. 1945) D.Phil. in History and D.Phil. in Ethnology. Professor Emeritus and adjunct professor at the University of the Faroe Islands and former rector of the University of the Faroe Islands.