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Stevnuválur, Millum Fjarða

Eysturoy

Spring Things in Faroe Islands

Main thing in Faroe Islands

The  order  of  things  in  the  Faroe  Islands  is  well  documented  in  the  proceedings  of  the  spring  things  together  with  stories  and  tales.  Alike  in  our  neighbouring  countries,  there  are  place-­‐names  incorpora=ng  the  word  =ng,  ding  (thing),  gálga  (gallow)  or  dóm  (verdict).  These  names  are  referring  to  thing-­‐sites  or  ac=ons  involving  the  thing.  The  thing  may  have  been  held  only  once  at  a  site,  however,  the  place-­‐name  has  survived  in  the  everyday  speech.

The  thing  sites  might  not  be  as  visible  today,  but  they  are  a  crucial  part  of  our  history.  If  you  are  standing  at  a  thing-­‐site,  you  can  imagine  the  Faroese  mee=ng  here  1000  years  ago  in  order  to  form  the  society.

Travel  around  the  Faroe  Islands  and  visit  our  ancient  and  old  spring  thing-­‐sites  and  also  our  main  thing  at  Tinganes.  Visit  the  website  www.thingsites.com  and  read  more  about  the  spring  thing-­‐sites  in  the  Faroe  Islands.  More  informa=on  about  the  Thing  Project  which  also  includes  thing-­‐sites  in  Norway,  Iceland,  Shetland,  Orkney,  Scotland  and  Isle  of  Man  is  found  on  www.thingproject.eu.  

This  thing  trail  can  also  be  made  as  a  geocache  tour  –  www.geocathing.com

T H E S P R I N G T H I N G S W E R E P A R T O F O U R A N C I E N T O R D E R O F T H I N G S

Eysturoy – Stevnuválur - SelatraðThe thing-site Stevnuválur is situated Millum Fjarða and is known from the stories about the farmer Orm. Later, the thing was moved to the village of Selatrað, where the thing presumably was held indoors. However, a large stone is found northerly in the village called Tingborðið (the thing table) and by the shore a thief was hanged in late 17th C by the Gálgastein.

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Sandoy – Í TrøðumThe ancient thing-site was in the middle of the islands, Millum Vatna, between two big lakes. Later, the thing was gathered in the farm í Trøðum east of the lake in Sandur. A large stone known as the “thingtable”can be seen next to the road.

Vágar – Á Ryggi According to legends, thing has been held up in the hills at Dómstólar in Kvígandali. Later, the thing-site was moved to the farm Heima í Stovu á Ryggi in the village of Miðvágur. Things were held indoors; however, a constructed stone silo indicates where the farm was located.

Suðuroy – Uppi millum StovurThe spring thing was held in Øravík, while the ancient thingsite was situated in the middle of the island by the path between Øravík and the southern villages. It is possible to find site “Tingstovan” by following the cairned track from Øravík or by the road driving towards Fámjin. A sign indicates where to start, and the walk is easy. The thing-table is a big flat stone in the hollow where the thing was held.

The Northern Islands – í VágiThe ancient thing-site was situated í Køtlum above Árna&ørður. There are stones which are said to depict the thing-site. Later, the thing moved to the farm í Vági. The farm house is not there any longer. Today, however, you can find a cosy area with benches and a chess board

The Northern Islands – í VágiThe ancient thing-site was situated í Køtlum above Árna&ørður. There are stones which are said to depict the thing-site. Later, the thing moved to the farm í Vági. The farm house is not there any longer. Today, however, you can find a cosy area with benches and a chess board

Streymoy – TinggarðurinNothing has been mentioned about spring things on Streymoy, but in Kolla&ørður next to the church is Tinggarðurin (the farmstead), in which autumn things were held. The main thing was on Tinganes in Tórshavn. The thing was gathered during the summer and early on this has been connected to the St. Olaf ’s Wake. Nowadays the Faroese Parliament still gathers in Tórshavn and the opening of the parliament is at St. Olaf ’s Wake the 29th July.

Streymoy – TinggarðurinNothing has been mentioned about spring things on Streymoy, but in Kolla&ørður next to the church is Tinggarðurin (the farmstead), in which autumn things were held. The main thing was on Tinganes in Tórshavn. The thing was gathered during the summer and early on this has been connected to the St. Olaf ’s Wake. Nowadays the Faroese Parliament still gathers in Tórshavn and the opening of the parliament is at St. Olaf ’s Wake the 29th July.