Kirkjubøargarður
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Kirkjubøargarður (Faroese for Yard of Kirkjubøur, also known as King's farm) is one of the oldest still inhabited wooden houses of the world. The farm itself has always been the largest of the Faroe Islands.
The old farmhouse of Kirkjubøur dates back to the 11th century. It was the Episcopal residence and priest school of the Diocese of the Faroe Islands since about 1100. The legend says, that the wood for the block houses came as driftwood from Norway and was accurate bundled and numbered, just for being set up. Note, that there is no forest in the Faroes and wood a very valuably material. Many wood legends are thus to be found in the Faroese history.
The oldest part is a socalled roykstova (reek parlour, or smoke room). Perhaps it was moved one day, because it does not fit to its fundament. Another ancient room is the loftstovan (loft room). It is supposed, that Bishop Erlendur wrote the "Sheep Letter" here in 1298. Today it is the farm's library. The stórastovan (large room) is much younger, and was built in 1772.
Though the farmhouse is a museum, the Family Patursson is still living here in 17th generation since 1550. It was shortly after the reformation in the Faroe Islands 1538, when all the real estates of the Catholic church was seized by the King of Denmark. This was about half of the land in the Faroes, and since then called king's land (kongsjørð). The largest piece of king's land was the farm in Kirkjubøur due to the above mentioned Episcopal residence. This land is today owned by the Faroese government, and the Paturssons are tenants from generation to generation. It is always the oldest son, who becomes king's farmer, and in contrast to the private owned land, the king's land is never divided between the sons.
The farm holds sheep, cattle and some horses. It is possible to get a coffee here and buy fresh mutton and beef directly from the farmer. In the winter season is there also hare hunting for the locals. Groups can rent the roykstovan for festivities and will be served original Faroese cuisine.
Other famous buildings directly by the farmhouse are the Magnus Cathedral and the Saint Olav's Church, which also date back to the mediaeval period. All three together represent the Faroe Island's most interesting historical site.
People
Famous people, who are born here or lived here for a period:
- Sverre I of Norway (1151–1202), grew up here and went to the priest school.
- Bishop Erlendur (?–1308), wrote the Sheep Letter and built the Magnus Cathedral.
- Súsanna Helena Patursson (1864–1916), first feminist of the Faroes.
- King's farmer Jóannes Patursson (1866–1946), oldest brother of Helena, nationalist leader and writer.
- Sverre Patursson (1871–1960) brother of Helena and Jóannes, writer, journalist and environmentalist.
- Erlendur Patursson (1913–1986), son of Jóannes, writer and nationalist politician.
- Tróndur Patursson (b. 1944), great-grandson of Jóannes, artist and adventurer.
External link
- [Patursson.com — Website of the family Patursson] (in English and Faroese)
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