Djupivogur (Djúpivogur) Village
Djupivogur (Djúpivogur) Village
The pyramid-shaped mountain Bulandstindur (1069m) towers behind Djupivogur, an attractive fishing village located on the peninsula between Hamarsfjordur and Berufjordur. The village is a short detour off road 1.
Meaning ‘Deep Bay’ Djupivogur’s history as a trading station dates back to 1589. Its oldest house, Langabud, was originally built as a shop in 1790. It has been renovated and serves as a Cultural Centre. Its cafe serves delicious homemade cakes and light meals and sells local handicrafts. Iceland's first sculptor, Rikardur Jonsson, is from the region and some of his works can be seen here.
On the west side of the harbor, about 1km from the town center, is the work of another Icelandic sculptor, Sigurdur Gudmundsson, who is well known in Holland and other European countries. Lined up above the shore, his impressive sculpture Eggin í Gledivik,‘The Eggs at Happy Bay’ consists of 34 large stone eggs. The artist chose stones that most resemble the eggs of common local bird species. The first one is the largest and is that of the puffin.
The Bulandsnes bird sanctuary, an important breeding ground for wildfowl and waders and a staging point for migrant birds, can be accessed from the road at the entrance to the town. It has a bird hide overlooking a small lake and wetland and several footpaths that meander through the marshes and dunes.
A boat trip over to the puffin island of Papey also provides a great opportunity to observe puffins, guillemots and other seabirds and sometimes seals in their natural habitat. The trips run year-round, departing at 13.00 from the harbor but note that the puffins and guillemots are usually only around from late April to mid-August. The boat lands on the island, where you can disembark and take a short walk around.
Bondavardan is a large cairn (rather dwarfed by antennae it has to say) on the hill overlooking the village, and a worthwhile panoramic viewpoint.
Djupivogur belongs to the international Cittàslow movement, which emphasizes local culture, humane and wholesome society and an unspoiled, safe environment. The idea behind it is to take life slowly, with time to enjoy things. As you walk around, you'll notice the Cittàslow logo, an orange snail bearing a village on its shell.