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The Saga of Gísli takes place mostly in the West Fjords in the late 10th century. It tells the story of Gísli Súrsson, one of the most famous warriors of the sagas. Gísli lived at Hóll in Haukadalur, a short distance from Þingeyri in Dýrafjörður. The West Vikings association was founded at Þingeyri in 2003, with the aim of making the places where the Saga of Gísli took place more accessible to visitors. The Association has established a festival site in the Old Icelandic style at Þingeyri: a circle has been constructed of sea-washed stones and turf, seating over 300 people, with a long hearth in the centre.
In Þingeyri is a well protected blacksmith factory. It almost looks the same way since it opened more than a century ago. Now there is a museum which is a great window into the past and the history of Þingeyri.
The connection between France and Iceland also plays a big role in the story of Þingeyri and Dýrafjörður. What's left of this connection can easily be seen in, the well taken care of, graveyard of the french seamen in Haukadalur. The French came to Iceland to use the wealthy fishing grounds in the 18th and 19th century. The French also had an idea of colonizing Dýrafjörður as a fishing station and a Army station.
The Old Blacksmith's Workshop
The old Blacksmith's Workshop was founded by Gudmundur J Sigurdsson in 1913, but Gudmundur came back to Thingeyri in 1903 after learning the trade in Denmark. The machine shop was one of the first if its kind in Iceland and leading in the development in the trade.
Today the museum includes all the old machines and blacksmith operation are still in their almost original state. This is a living museum, where visitors can experience the old machine shop as time has stood still. An amazing atmosphere for all ages.
the Graveyard of the french seamen
The connection between France and Iceland plays a big role in the story of Þingeyri and Dýrafjörður. What's left of this connection can easily be seen in, the well taken care of, graveyard of the french seamen in Haukadalur. The French came to Iceland to use the wealthy fishing grounds in the 18th and 19th century. The French also had an idea of colonizing Dýrafjörður as a fishing station and a Army station.
