Élivágar: 10: Eskifjörður I

Winds play tribute to the voyage between water, whistling omnipresent reminders of mortality. As the procession of cold waves clouds mountain peaks, sorrowful sirens becalm the hands ashore, now left to faith as lichen endures. The valley floods until the river is washed, becoming one with the sea.

Guiding Beacon

With over 5,000km of coastline consisting of often jagged cliffs and treacherous waters, Iceland has a perimeter of over 100 unique lighthouses. Strategically placed, these lighthouses serve as navigational beacons to warn mariners of potentially hazardous areas like cliffs or shallow waters as well as to safely guide ships through harbors.

Sea Horse

Fishermen have played a central role in putting food on the table of Icelanders, but it is not an easy profession. Away from home for long periods of time, fisherman often endure physical and mental hardship, constantly weighing risk over reward. While the rewards can be worthwhile, many before have perished. For those who return home, it can then be difficult to adjust to a life on land.

Paying Respect

Iceland and its people have had a deep connection to and respect for the ocean since the island was first discovered by Norse Vikings around 850 A.D. Over the years, many Icelandic mariners have lost their lives to the unforgiving waters that surround the island.

Light Markers

Each lighthouse is unique in size and shape as well as position, with some standing tall above the landscape and most hardly above sea level. While many of the lighthouses can be accessed by car or on foot, some can only accessed by helicopter.

Protection Above

Early Norse mythology believed a staff bearing prophetess, capable of traversing between people and gods, is buried at the peak of Hólmatindur. Legend has it she prevented a raid on the village in the 17th century by North African marauders and again during WWII, when a German bombing plane crashed at the entrance of the fjord.