Tórshavn, the capital of the Faroe Islands, is perhaps not very large, but there’s plenty to discover! Úti á Reyni on the Tinganes peninsula is one of the sights in Tórshavn that you really shouldn’t miss. This little district, also known as Reyn, is the oldest neighborhood in Tórshavn. It’s a delightful place to wander through at your own pace. The black-tarred turf houses with grass roofs are packed closely together, creating winding streets, hidden passages and narrow alleys.
History of Reyn on Tinganes
Tinganes is the historical heart of Tórshavn. As early as the 15th century, residential and warehouse buildings were constructed on the Tinganes peninsula, where Norse settlers had also established their parliament in the 9th century. For a long time, this was the (trade) center and the most important spot of the archipelago. In 1673, much of the area was destroyed by a city fire. New houses were built to replace the few that survived. As a result, you’ll find houses from the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries on the Tinganes peninsula.
Living in Reyn is highly sought after
In the past, it was generally the poorest people who lived in Reyn. The houses were close together, with little space around them and small living areas. Today, however, that’s no longer the case! Despite the fact that many houses have living areas no larger than 25 square meters, Reyn has grown into a popular and highly sought-after neighborhood. As a result, a lot of money is paid to secure a house here.
Traditional Faroese food at Heima í Havn
If you’re looking for truly traditional Faroese food, Heima í Havn is the place to be. Heima í Havn is a cluster of traditional turf houses on the edge of the Reyn neighborhood. There are five restaurants here: Ræst Fermented, Barbara Fish House, Mikkeller Tórshavn, Áarstova and ROKS. Here, you’ll enjoy authentic dishes based on ancient Faroese customs. Beautiful, right?
The Faroese parliament at Tinganes, a historic meeting place
At the end of the Tinganes peninsula, the color of the buildings changes; black gives way to red. Here, you’ll find former warehouses. In these warehouses sits the parliament of the Faroe Islands: Føroya Landsstýri. In most countries, you can’t even get close to parliamentary buildings, but in Tórshavn, you can wander around endlessly and take photos.
Tinganes is considered one of the oldest parliamentary meeting places in the world, along with Tynwald Hill on the Isle of Man and Þingvellir in Iceland. It was here, around the year 900, that the Viking parliament first met every summer to discuss matters of national importance.
From this spot, you have a beautiful view of both the small harbor and the larger harbor, as well as Tórshavn itself. If the weather is nice, be sure to sit on the flat rocks here and enjoy the view. With a bit of luck, you’ll see beautiful ships sailing into the harbor, but it’s always fun to watch the hustle and bustle of the harbor.
