Grundarfjörður
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Grundarfjörður () is a town in the north of the
Snæfellsnes The Snæfellsnes () is a peninsula situated to the west of Borgarfjörður, in western Iceland. The Snæfellsjökull volcano, regarded as one of the symbols of Iceland, can be found in the area. With its height of 1446 m, it is the highest ...
peninsula in the west of
Iceland Iceland ( is, Ísland; ) is a Nordic island country in the North Atlantic Ocean and in the Arctic Ocean. Iceland is the most sparsely populated country in Europe. Iceland's capital and largest city is Reykjavík, which (along with its s ...
. It is situated between a mountain range and the sea. The nearby mountain Kirkjufell forms a small peninsula.


Overview

The town received the right to do commerce in 1786. Around 1800, French merchants came to Iceland and lived in Grundarfjörður, where they constructed a church and a hospital of their own. The town became wealthy through the fishing industry, and this wealth shows in the style of the original, luxurious houses being built. The road to nearby Stykkishólmur crosses a
lava Lava is molten or partially molten rock (magma) that has been expelled from the interior of a terrestrial planet (such as Earth) or a moon onto its surface. Lava may be erupted at a volcano or through a fracture in the crust, on land or un ...
field called ''Berserkjahraun'' . The name of the lava field comes from the Eyrbyggja saga, according to which two '' Berserkers'' were slain here by their master, because one of them fell in love with his master's daughter.


Twin town

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Paimpol Paimpol (; ) is a commune in the Côtes-d'Armor department in Brittany in northwest France. It is a tourist destination, especially during the summer months when people are attracted by its port and beaches. Geography The town is located in th ...
, Brittany. Grundarfjörður and Paimpol in Brittany in northwest France have strong historical connections. Between 1852 and 1935, Breton sailors from Paimpol and the surrounding region sailed to Iceland to catch cod. The connection between the two towns was sealed in a formal friendship and Grundarfjörður has been twinned with the Breton town Paimpol since 2004.


Port and fisheries

Grundarfjörður's harbor is one of the 10 largest quota-fishery harbors in the country with the biggest demersal catch in West Iceland being landed here.


Tourism

Mount Kirkjufell lies to the west of the town. Other natural features include the Kirkjufellsfoss and Grundarfoss waterfalls. The Saga Center Grundarfjörður hosts exhibits documenting the history of the town, including a display of photographs by photographer Bæring Cecilsson. To the south is the Grundarfjörður Church. Built in 1966, it hosts one of the 500 original lithographs of the Guðbrandsbiblía, the first book to be printed in Iceland.


Arts & Culture

Several outdoor art exhibits exist throughout the town. They include: * Lúðvík Karlsson: A local folk artist whose stone sculptures number around 25, and can be found across the landscape. An art gallery and workshop at Sólvellir 6 displays more of his work. * Sýn: A statue by Steinunn Thorarinsdottir located next to the Grundarfjörður Church, dedicated to fishermen in the community. * Orca Statue: The large herring population in the region means that the Snæfellsnes peninsula is the only location in the country where orcas are regularly seen. The Orca Statue pays an homage to this. * Paimpol Cross: Historically, merchants from Paimpol traded in Grundarkampur, to the west of the town. The Paimpol Cross is erected here, commemorating Breton sailors who drowned. * Umkringja: An exhibition of 5 photographs by Nina Zurier on a fish factory by the harbor.Grundarfjörður is home to an annual festival, known as Annually, the town entertains "Á Góðri Stund í Grundarfirði" (Eng.: ''Good Times in Grundarfjörður''), a festival which hosts exhibitions of art and music. Traditionally, locals will decorate their streets with a certain color, and dress up in clothes of the same color for the duration of the festival.


See also

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Volcanism of Iceland :''The volcano system in Iceland that started activity on August 17, 2014, and ended on February 27, 2015, is Bárðarbunga.'' :''The volcano in Iceland that erupted in May 2011 is Grímsvötn.'' Iceland experiences frequent volcanic activity, ...
* List of settlements in Iceland


References


External links


Official website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Grundarfjordur Municipalities of Iceland Populated places in Western Region (Iceland) Snæfellsnes Volcanic Belt Snæfellsnes Tourist attractions in Iceland