History of the Kollafjörður islands: Þerney and Viðey
Here is the second part of our history of the islands around Reykjavík, starting with the lesser known island - Þerney!
Þerney is named after the Arctic tern, known in Icelandic as kría and formerly as "þerna“. This piece of land is used as a vacation spot for animals from the Reykjavík Zoo! Usually around the same time as the zoo staff, mid-July to mid-August. This island was also an important trading post in the Middle Ages, used mostly for the quarantine of animals. In 1933 a few cows and sheep were brought from Denmark, soon ringworm was found in these animals and infected humans too. All cattle but one calf were slaughtered. There was also a church in Þerney that was a reward by royal decree to the farmer‘s tenant for planting a garden on the island. There were old hayfields from cultivation with grass species predominant and over 100 diferent species of plant species making it the most diverse in terms of vegetation of the 5 islands. Like the other islands, the common eider nests here as well as the great and lesser black-backed gulls but no puffins.
Viðey is the largest island in Kollafjörðdur and the most accessible of all. It spans about 1.7km2, it’s about 3km long, the highest point is 32 meters, and the island is split by an isthmus into Vesturey (West Island) and Heimaey (Home Island).
The wildlife here is mainly composed of common eiders, but also great and lesser black-backed gulls, greylag geese. These bird species nest on the island because of its tall grass and hills, making it a good place to hide and seek shelter from storms and from predators. Sadly, no puffins, not bec
ause they don’t want, but because this island is visited by people and it sits close to the mainland, making it possible for mink and mice to swim across. There’s also a small grey seal colony that has been growing and is seen on the rocks in the western and southern side. It’s possible to witness the growing stages of several plant species too, with the blooming of the arctic lupine, the dandelion and the other many flower kinds all over the island.
History:
Viðey has been inhabited since the 10th century, although its earliest written records date from the 12th century. An Augustinian monastery operated on the island from 1225 to 1539. Viðeyjarstofa (Viðey House), Iceland’s oldest stone building of its kind, was built between 1752 and 1755 as the official residence of Treasurer Skúli Magnússon. Funded by the King of Denmark, it was designed in the Rococo style by the royal court architect Nicolai Eigtved. The house later accommodated the first Icelander to serve as governor and his son, who became president of the High Court. Viðey Church, built for Skúli and consecrated in 1774, is Iceland’s second-oldest church. It retains its original interior fittings, the oldest in the country. The island’s last permanent residents left in 1943. In 1906, a violent storm in the bay wrecked the bulk carriers Emilíe and Sophie Wheathley and the cutter Ingvar near Viðey’s shore. People gathered along the coast after news of the disaster spread, but they were unable to help. All 68 men aboard the vessels lost their lives. The tragedy changed how Icelanders viewed the dangers of the ocean and contributed to the establishment of Slysavarnafélag Íslands (the Life-Saving Association). An anchor believed to have belonged to Ingvar remains on the island as a memorial to the victims. In 1944, during the Second World War, another disaster occurred off the island’s western coast. In severe weather, the Canadian destroyer Skeena dragged anchor and ran aground, claiming 15 lives. A US landing craft commanded by Icelandic captain Einar Sigurðsson rescued 198 men in the largest throwline rescue operation in Icelandic history. Skeena was later stripped and sold for parts, and its propeller now stands at the Viðey ferry terminal.
Art on the island:
In 1990 US sculptor Richard Serra was invited by the Reykjavík Arts Festival to create
“Áfangar (Milestones)” a work of art on the island that consists of nine pairs of columnar basalt pillars that frame certain landmarks and destinations.
In 2007, Yoko Ono installed an artwork on the island called the Imagine Peace Tower, that consists of 8 beams of light that join in one and can reach over 10km from inside a 2 meter tall structure shaped like a wishing well. Along this structure it’s inscribed “Imagine Peace” carved in 24 languages. It’s lit on John Lennon’s birthday, October 9th with an opening ceremony where the President of Iceland, the Japanese embassy and special guests are present and goes out on the day of his passing, December 8th. Yoko used to attend the ceremony, but she hasn’t travelled in a few years due to her age. It is lit again on New Year’s Eve, Winter Solstice and during the first week of spring, which was when they got married! The tower represents the ongoing work of Lennon and Ono to achieve world peace where Iceland plays a key role in terms of location, energy source and military status: located between 2 tectonic plates, geothermal energy and no military. You can contribute to the cause by sending your wish via post to: PO Box 1009, 121 Reykjavík, Iceland. Or you could go on one of our tours where we go to the island, see the tower, the church and the stone house where we give you free hot chocolate with some nice kleina, an Icelandic pastry. We also add your wishes a wishing tree that has collected over half a million wishes worldwide ever since. A time-capsule was also buried, and it will be open on the John Lennon's 100th birthday. Fortunately for you, we have an Imagine Peace Tower tour, and we run the ferry for this beautiful outdoor escape!
So here we have the islands you can see and visit while you’re visiting Reykjavík. Make sure to pass by our ticket office for any question regarding our tours! We have very knowledgeable guides on board to help you understand and get to know every island’s history and wildlife.
Pedro Teixeira
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