Hólmavík
Hólmavík is the largest town in the
Strandir
region of Iceland and serves as the main commercial and service center
for the area. The town is part of the municipality of
Strandabyggð
and plays a central role for communities along the northern shore of
Steingrímsfjörður.
The town lies beneath the Kálfanesborgir cliffs on the western side of
the fjord and developed from the farmland of Kálfanes.
Its natural harbor and sheltered position made it well suited for
trade and settlement along the Strandir coast.
Before permanent settlement began, the area was used as a seasonal
shore site. In 1883, Sigurður Sigurðsson, a carpenter and church
builder, and his wife Guðrún Jónsdóttir moved from Felli in Kollafjörður
to Kálfanes. After a short time they relocated into the bay and built
a new homestead, marking the beginning of permanent settlement in
Hólmavík.
Their son was the poet
Stefán from Hvítidalur,
who is generally regarded as the first person born in Hólmavík.
His legacy remains an important part of the town’s cultural history.
Today, Hólmavík is a vibrant rural town offering essential services,
cultural activities, and easy access to the dramatic natural landscapes
of the Strandir region.
Hólmavík er rólegt þorp á Vestfjörðum.