Just north of Flateyjardalur, on Flateyjarskagi Peninsula, lies a small, grassy island called Flatey on Skjálfandi Bay. It is the sixth-largest island off Iceland, measuring about two kilometers in both width and length.
On the southern part of the island, a village formed at the beginning of the 20th century, peaking at over 120 residents in 1942. However, by 1967, Flatey had been abandoned, ending a history of habitation that dated back to Iceland’s settlement era. The island had also been a church site since before 1200.
Flatey is a unique bird sanctuary, home to one of Iceland’s largest Arctic tern colonies and hosting 14,000 puffins, as well as ducks, geese, and eider ducks.
But Flatey’s charm isn’t only in its nature. Visiting the island feels like stepping back 100 years in time. Buildings constructed in the early 20th century are well-preserved, and modernity seems to belong solely to the mainland of Iceland.
Flatey – January 20, 2025 – A7R III, A7R IV, RX1R II – FE 1.4/85mm GM, FE 1.2/50mm GM, FE 1.4/24mm GM, FE 1.8/135mm GM, 2.0/35mm Z – Images & text: Páll Stefánsson
