Heimaey Island, Iceland

The first stop outside Reyjkavik on our cruise around Iceland (travelling counter clockwise around the island) is Heimaey Island, home of the Eldfell Volcano and the Helgafell Volcano (last eruptions in 1973).  Both volcanos are now about 700 feet (213 meters) high and offer great views of the area.  We enter the harbor and tie up at the pier, alongside many fishing boats.

Heimaey Island translates to "Home Island" as it is the only inhabited island in the Westman Islands (although reportedly 6 of the 15 other islands have single hunting cabins).

Approaching the harbor

Passing a fish farm on the way in

In the channel

Geothermal power station at the harbor

Our neighbors at the dock

Painting of the town

We wander into town and stroll the streets of this delightful location.  Just off the dock, we read the history of the harbor:  the first dock was built in 1907, allowing fishermen to unload their catch without having to scramble over rocks and mud.  The docks were expanded in 1911 and 1926 when several fish processing plants were built nearby.  At the edge of the harbor is a rowboat originally used to get from shore to the fishing boats moored in the harbor.  Later, the rowboat was repurposed as an emergency rescue boat. 

Rowboat

Our ship alongside the dock

Wandering through town

As in Reykjavik, there is intriguing, often whimsical, artwork on the houses, walls, fences, and streets.

Artwork on the streets

The park has a small bandstand and a colorful play area that we see at almost every town we visit on this trip.

In the park

We descend to the harbor entrance, then return along the water to the docks.

Harbor entrance

Other ships leaving

View of the mainland in the distance

The Stave Church at the harbor entrance was a gift from the Norwegian nation in the year 2000 to commemorate 1000 years of Christianity in Iceland.  The church is a replica of a church in Norway originally built in 1170.  Nearby, the remains of a small fort guard the harbor entrance.

Stave church

Fort watching over the entrance

The fort likely saw some use as Heimaey Island was a favorite target for raiders, including the English throughout the 15th century and Algerian pirates in the 1600s.

Next to explore the volcanos up the hill.