Videy Island
Videy Island means “island of trees” in Icelandic. The name was not chosen by chance; previously it described the specifics of the place. This is a small island in the west of Iceland near Reykjavik, it is located in the waters of the Kodlafjord of Fahsaflói Bay, with a surface area of 1.7 square kilometers.
History of creation
No matter where you are on the Reykjavik waterfront, you will have a clear view of Vidøy Island from there. To get there you only need 5 minutes by ferry. The island used to be a volcano. After some time, it went under water, and after another few thousand years, the top of the island appeared again from behind the water. The trace of those people who lived on the island on a permanent basis is visible back in the 12th century. They built houses from turf. In 1225, the monastery of St. Augustine opened on the island of Videy. However, already in 1539, on the orders of King Christian III of Denmark, it was burned. One of the memorable moments was associated with the move of Judge Skuli Magnusson. The house in which he lived was built under the direction of the architect Nikolai Eitved. Construction was completed in 1755. The house is the oldest stone building in the country. After 20 years, a temple appeared near the house; it was the second stone building in Iceland.
Features of Videy Island
When traveling around Iceland, you will find many amazing and unique places. They can be so amazing that even the most experienced tourists can get a lot of impressions. One of the places that you should pay attention to when planning your trip around the country is the island of Videy. To this day, ancient buildings have been preserved on this piece of land, from which the history of the northern country can literally be read. Archaeological research has shown that people first settled on the island of Videy back in the 10th century. The first people to live here were Irish monks.
The heyday of the island of Videya falls on the beginning of the 20th century. At that time the island was spoken of as an important fishing port. About a hundred people lived in the village at that time. But in 1913, construction of a more modern port began in the capital of Iceland. And by the time of 1943 there was no one left on the island.
What Viday looks like today
For the most part, the island consists of low hills, rock and basalt formations. The highest hill in Videya is Skuli; it reaches a height of 32 meters. There are no trees on the island; they were cut down several hundred years ago. Despite this, the island never ceases to amaze with its picturesque landscapes. Among the animals you can find here are geese, fulmars, sandpipers, arctic terns, and snipe. Horseback riding is organized for tourists on Videa. The island is one of the popular holiday destinations for Reykjavik residents and foreign tourists, and has a children's playground and restaurant.
