Churches in Streymoy

Historic Churches of Streymoy

Streymoy’s religious architecture spans from the 13th-century Saint Olav’s Church in Kirkjubøur to the modern Catholic St. Mary's. This collection includes the Faroe Islands' only octagonal church in Haldórsvík and several classic 19th-century wooden structures featuring traditional black-tarred walls and turf roofs. These sites demonstrate the evolution of Faroese ecclesiastical design, from the historic Tórshavn Cathedral on Tinganes to rural parish churches relocated across mountain passes.

Historic Churches of Streymoy — Map

JEK / CC-BY-SA-3.0

A

Tórshavn Cathedral

Tórshavn Cathedral is the second oldest received church of the Faroe Islands, on Tinganes in the old town of Tórshavn.

Erik Christensen / CC-BY-SA-3.0

B

Saksunar Kirkja

Originally built in Tjørnuvík, this church was disassembled, carried over the mountains, and rebuilt in Saksun in 1858. It features a traditional turf roof and white-washed stone walls.

Torbenbrinker / CC BY-SA 3.0

C

St. Mary's Church, Tórshavn

The St. Mary's Church is a parish of the Roman Catholic Church located in Mariugøta 4 in the city of Tórshavn, the capital of the Faroe…

EileenSanda / CC BY-SA 3.0

D

Kvívíkar kirkja

This stone church was completed in 1903 to replace a smaller 1838 structure. It is situated in the coastal village of Kvívík, near the remains of a Viking-age settlement.

Stig Nygaard / CC BY 2.0

E

Saint Olav's Church

Dating from the 13th century, this is the oldest church still in use in the Faroe Islands. It served as the islands' cathedral during the Middle Ages and is located next to the Magnus Cathedral ruins.

Erik Christensen / CC BY-SA 3.0

F

Tjørnuvíkar kirkja

Dedicated in 1937, this church serves the northernmost village of Streymoy. It was established decades after the previous village church was moved to Saksun.

G

Haldórsvíkar kirkja

Built in 1856, this is the only octagonal church in the Faroe Islands. The unique altarpiece depicts the Last Supper using the faces of local villagers from the time it was painted.

H

Kollafjarðar kirkja

A traditional black-tarred wooden church with a turf roof and white bell tower, dating from 1837. It represents the classic Faroese architectural style of the 19th century.

I

Hvalvíkar kirkja

Built in 1829, this is the oldest of the traditional black-painted wooden churches in the Faroe Islands. The interior features a pulpit originally used in the 1609 Tórshavn church.

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