Borgarfjördur Eystri and Víknaslódir, the abandoned settlement south of the fjord, is one of the most beautiful areas in Iceland. The fjord is the northernmost of the East Fjords, located south of Héradsflói and north of Seydisfjördur. Today, just over a hundred people live in Borgarfjördur Eystri, but the Víkur area was abandoned in 1974 when the last resident of Húsavík moved away fifty years ago. Around 1900, the area was home to well over 300 people—along with elves and hidden people. Many believe that their capital in Iceland is Álfaborg, located near the campsite in Bakkagerdi, the village in Borgarfjördur Eystri.
While the area is mostly known for its grand summer music festival, Brædslan, it is also an extraordinary natural gem for everyone to enjoy year-round, being only a short distance from Egilsstadir—a mere hour away. From Reykjavík, it’s just a few more kilometres, totalling around 800 km, the equivalent of roughly 500 miles.
It comes as little wonder that one of Iceland’s greatest sons, the painter Jóhannes Kjarval (1885-1972), spent his childhood in Borgarfjördur Eystri.
Borgarfjörður eystri 07/09/2024 : A7R IV, RX1RII, A7R III – 2.0/35mmZ, FE 1.2/50mm GM, FE 1.8/135mm GM, FE 2.8/100mm GM – Photos & text : Páll Stefánsson
