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Tórshavn (; ; Danish: ''Thorshavn''), usually locally referred to as simply Havn, is the capital and largest city of the
Faroe Islands The Faroe Islands ( ) (alt. the Faroes) are an archipelago in the North Atlantic Ocean and an autonomous territory of the Danish Realm, Kingdom of Denmark. Located between Iceland, Norway, and the United Kingdom, the islands have a populat ...
. It is located in the southern part on the east coast of Streymoy. To the northwest of the city lies the mountain Húsareyn, and to the southwest, the Kirkjubøreyn. They are separated by the Sandá River. The city itself has a population of 14,038 (2024), and the greater urban area has a population of 23,160, including the suburbs of Hoyv%C3%ADk and Argir. The Norse ( Scandinavians) established their parliament on the Tinganes peninsula in AD 850. 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, the
peninsula A peninsula is a landform that extends from a mainland and is only connected to land on one side. Peninsulas exist on each continent. The largest peninsula in the world is the Arabian Peninsula. Etymology The word ''peninsula'' derives , . T ...
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 Færeyinga Saga says: "the place of the ''ting'' of the Faroese was on Streymoy, and there is the harbour that is called Tórshavn". The Viking age ended in 1035. The ''ting'' was followed by a market which gradually grew into a permanent trading area. All through the
Middle Ages In the history of Europe, the Middle Ages or medieval period lasted approximately from the 5th to the late 15th centuries, similarly to the post-classical period of global history. It began with the fall of the Western Roman Empire and ...
, 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 Bergen (, ) is a city and municipalities of Norway, municipality in Vestland county on the Western Norway, west coast of Norway. Bergen is the list of towns and cities in Norway, second-largest city in Norway after the capital Oslo. By May 20 ...
. 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 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
Frederick III of Denmark Frederick III (; 18 March 1609 – 9 February 1670) was King of Denmark and Norway from 1648 until his death in 1670. He also governed under the name Frederick II as diocesan administrator (colloquially referred to as prince-bishop) of the ...
granted the Faroe Islands to his favourite statesman Kristoffer Gabel; the rule of the von Gabel Family (lasting between 1655 and 1709), is known as ''Gablatíðin''. It is the darkest chapter in the history of Tórshavn. Gabel's administration suppressed the islanders in various ways. The trade monopoly was in the family's hands and it was not designed for the needs of the Faroese people. People across the country brought products into town and had to be satisfied with whatever price they were given. At the same time, imported goods were limited and expensive. There came considerable complaints from the islands' inhabitants of unjust treatment by the civil administration in Tórshavn. These not only included the persons in charge of the monopoly trade, but also the
bailiff A bailiff is a manager, overseer or custodian – a legal officer to whom some degree of authority or jurisdiction is given. There are different kinds, and their offices and scope of duties vary. Another official sometimes referred to as a '' ...
and others. It was during this period, in 1673, that Tinganes was ravaged by a fire after a store of gunpowder kept at Tinganes had blown up. Many old houses burnt to the ground and old Faroese records were lost as were Gabel's documents. 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 Copenhagen ( ) is the capital and most populous city of Denmark, with a population of 1.4 million in the Urban area of Copenhagen, urban area. The city is situated on the islands of Zealand and Amager, separated from Malmö, Sweden, by the ...
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 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. 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. 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 The Folketing ( , ), also known as the Parliament of Denmark or the Danish Parliament in English, is the unicameral national legislature (parliament) of the Kingdom of Denmark — Denmark proper together with the Faroe Islands and Greenland. E ...
granted DKK 810,000 to construction of a harbour in Tórshavn. Local waves are , the waters are ice free and have a tidal variation of , 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. In 1927, Tórshavn had a modern harbour built. This made it possible for larger ships to berth. During the British occupation of the Faroe Islands in World War II, Skansin was used as the headquarters of the Royal Navy Command, and two 5.5-inch guns used aboard before World War II were deployed. 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 features a subpolar oceanic climate ('' Cfc''), with strong moderation from the
Atlantic Ocean The Atlantic Ocean is the second largest of the world's five borders of the oceans, oceanic divisions, with an area of about . It covers approximately 17% of Earth#Surface, Earth's surface and about 24% of its water surface area. During the ...
's Norwegian Current. In winter, Tórshavn tends to be under direct influence of the Icelandic Low, which usually brings overcast and stormy weather to the Faroe Islands. Because of its cloudiness and the ice-free water surrounding Tórshavn, its winter temperatures are exceptionally mild for such a northerly location, with winter daytime temperatures usually oscillating around . However, summer temperatures are much lower than those found in Scandinavia on similar latitudes, and barely exceed daily highs in the warmest month. The moderation also causes the extremes amplitude to be very low: in the period from 1961 to 2021, there was a mere difference between the absolute warmest and coldest temperatures. Temperatures below freezing may occur in any non-summer month, but even in winter, the average daily lows stay well above . 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.


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 and the Ministry of Social Affairs 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. The parliament, the Løgting, which was originally located on Tinganes, was relocated to the town square, Vaglið, in 1856.


Mayors of Tórshavn


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
Premier League The Premier League is a professional association football league in England and the highest level of the English football league system. Contested by 20 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the English Football Lea ...
teams: HB Tórshavn, B36 Tórshavn and Argja Bóltfelag. Other football clubs with connections to the city are FF Giza ( Nólsoy), FC Hoyvík and Undrið FF.
Handball Handball (also known as team handball, European handball, Olympic handball or indoor handball) is a team sport in which two teams of seven players each (six outcourt players and a goalkeeper) pass a ball using their hands with the aim of thr ...
is the second most popular sport in Tórshavn. The city's handball teams are Kyndil, Neistin and Ítróttafelagið H71 and the Faroe Island's national handball team practice in the city. Tórshavn city has several popular rowing clubs, including, Havnar Róðrarfelag and Róðrarfelagið Knørrur. Every year in July the Tour of Faroe Islands, which is a road bicycle race, is held around the islands. The race, called ''Kring Føroyar'' (Tour de Faroe / Around the Faroes), starts in Klaksvík and ends in Tórshavn.


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 Denmark is a Nordic countries, Nordic country in Northern Europe. It is the metropole and most populous constituent of the Kingdom of Denmark,, . also known as the Danish Realm, a constitutionally unitary state that includes the Autonomous a ...
and
Iceland Iceland is a Nordic countries, Nordic island country between the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge between North America and Europe. It is culturally and politically linked with Europe and is the regi ...
. The harbour is also used by domestic ferry services of Strandfaraskip Landsins within the Faroe Islands, chiefly on the route to
Tvøroyri Tvøroyri is a village on the north side of the Trongisvágsfjørður on the east coast of Suðuroy island in the Faroe Islands. Together with Froðba, Trongisvágur, Líðin and Øravík it forms Tvøroyri Municipality. The village is considered ...
. 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

* Løgtingið and 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 Føroya is 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. * 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. * Daniel Jacob Danielsen (1871–1916), a missionary and humanitarian who helped Roger Casement to expose the horrors of the Belgian Empire. * Petur Alberg (1885–1940), composer, most famous for composing the
national anthem A national anthem is a patriotic musical composition symbolizing and evoking eulogies of the history and traditions of a country or nation. The majority of national anthems are marches or hymns in style. American, Central Asian, and European ...
. * 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. * Jacob Haugaard (1952), entertainer and former member of the Danish Parliament. * Sissal (1995), singer.


Gallery

File:Eystaravág, Torshavn, faroe islands, feb 2005.jpg, Eystaravág File:Faroe Islands, Streymoy, Tórshavn (6).jpg, City bus on the Norðari Ringvegur File:Faroe Islands, Streymoy, Tórshavn (1).jpg, View over central Tórshavn File:Tórshavn.2.old habour.jpg, Vestaravág File:Niels Finsens gøta 2003.JPG, Niels Finsens Gøta File:British gun, skansin (Faroe Islands).jpg, The British cannon at Skansin File:Havnar-kirkja-foto.JPG, Tórshavn cathedral File:Faroe Islands, Streymoy, Tórshavn (4), Bryggjubakki street at night.jpg, Bryggjubakki street at night File:Tó.StadtparkWeg.jpg, The municipal park File:Faroe Islands, Streymoy, Tórshavn (7), Tinganes.jpg, Alleys of Tinganes File:Tórshavn Panorama.jpg, Tórshavn from Oyggjarvegur


Twin cities

Tórshavn is twinned with: *
Esbjerg Esbjerg (, ) is a seaport city and seat of Esbjerg Municipality on the west coast of the Jutland peninsula in southwest Denmark. By road, it is west of Kolding and southwest of Aarhus. With an urban area, urban population of 71,554 (1 January ...
, Denmark * Birkerød, Denmark * Asker, Norway * Garðabær, Iceland *
Reykjavík Reykjavík is the Capital city, capital and largest city in Iceland. It is located in southwestern Iceland on the southern shore of Faxaflói, the Faxaflói Bay. With a latitude of 64°08′ N, the city is List of northernmost items, the worl ...
, Iceland *
Jakobstad Jakobstad (; , ) is a town in Finland, located on the west coast of the country. Jakobstad is situated in Ostrobothnia (administrative region), Ostrobothnia, along the Gulf of Bothnia. The population of Jakobstad is approximately , while the Jako ...
, Finland * Mariehamn,
Åland Åland ( , ; ) is an Federacy, autonomous and Demilitarized zone, demilitarised region of Finland. Receiving its autonomy by a 1920 decision of the League of Nations, it is the smallest region of Finland by both area () and population (30,54 ...
* Eslöv, Sweden * Riolunato, Italy


See also

*
List of towns in the Faroe Islands This is a list of villages (and towns) of the Faroe Islands as of 29 of April 2025. :fo:Býir í Føroyum References {{DEFAULTSORT:List Of Towns In The Faroe Islands Towns Faroe Islands The Faroe Islands ( ) (alt. the Faro ...


References


Sources

* Havsteen-Mikkelsen, Sven (1995) ''Føroyinga søga'' (Bjarni Niclasen, týddi; Jørgen Haugan, skrivaði eftirmæli. Tórshavn: Føroya skúlabókagrunnur)


External links


Tórshavn Municipality website
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Torshavn Populated places in the Faroe Islands Weather extremes of Earth Populated places established in the 10th century Populated coastal places in the Faroe Islands Ports and harbours of the Faroe Islands