Kirkjubøur, the medieval heart of the Faroe Islands
Kirkjubøur was the seat of the Faroese bishops in the Middle Ages. What to see: the ruins of St Magnus Cathedral, St Olav’s Church and the Roykstovan farm.
Kirkjubøur is a tiny village south of Tórshavn, on the coast of Streymoy, and the most important historic site in the Faroe Islands. In the Middle Ages it was the country’s religious and cultural centre.
The seat of the bishops
The Faroe Islands became a diocese around the year 1100, and the bishop had his seat in Kirkjubøur until the Reformation in 1538. Three places remain from that time, and they are visited together.
St Magnus Cathedral
The ruins by the sea are the most photographed part. Building started around the end of the 13th century, probably under Bishop Erlendur, but it was never finished. After the Reformation it was abandoned.
St Olav’s Church
The oldest church in the country still in use, built around the 12th century. It was the bishop’s church until the Reformation. Its famous carved medieval pew ends are now kept in the National Museum in Tórshavn.
The Roykstovan farm
The former residence of the bishops, a wooden house with centuries of history and one of the oldest in Europe that is still lived in. Its oldest room is the roykstova (the smoke room). The Patursson family has held it as tenants since the Reformation, from generation to generation.
How to get there
- By car: a few minutes south of Tórshavn. There is parking and toilets.
- By bus: Tórshavn’s city bus goes all the way to Kirkjubøur.
- On foot: the old Tórshavn to Kirkjubøur path, about 5.5 km and a little under two hours, suitable for families. You will find it in our hiking trails.
Respect the place: the farm is still a lived-in home. Stay in the areas open to the public.
Frequently asked questions
How do you get to Kirkjubøur from Tórshavn?
It is very close to the capital. You can go by car, on the city bus or on foot along the old Tórshavn to Kirkjubøur path, about 5.5 km and under two hours.
What is the Roykstovan farm?
The former residence of the bishops, one of the oldest inhabited wooden houses in Europe. The Patursson family has held it as tenants since the Reformation, generation after generation.