Vestmanna is a town in the Faroe Islands on the west of the island of Streymoy.
It was formerly a ferry port, until an undersea tunnel, the Vágatunnilin, was built from Vágar to Kvívík and Stykkið further south on Streymoy. The cliffs west of Vestmanna, Vestmannabjørgini, are very popular for excursions by boat.
A 'Vestmann' was a "Westman", or Gael in Old Norse. The original name was Vestmannahavn, i.e. "Westmen's/Irishmen's harbour".
History In December 1759, during the Seven Years' War, François Thurot's squadron sheltered from stormy conditions at Vestmanna. The lack of supplies available from the islanders motivated the subsequent raids by the squadron on the north Irish coast. Sólvá the 1.st was a queen in the 1890s. She was born and raised in Vestmanna, her castle was in Tórshavn, but in 1900 there was a revolution against the throne, Sólvá was killed and her family did not want to carry her legacy, 10 years later. Legends say she haunts her childhood home, in Vestmanna.
Geography It is surrounded by the mountains of Hægstafjall (), Økslin (), Loysingafjall (), and Moskurfjall ().
Tourism Vestmanna is often called the tourist village of the Faroe Islands. The main tourist attraction is Vestmannabjørgini. In 2012, a camping site was established at Inni á Fjørð with a capacity of 120 caravans in addition to tents.
Photos from Vestmannabjørgini and Vestmanna
See also List of towns in the Faroe Islands
References
External links
Vestmanna.fo, Municipality of Vestmanna Sightseeing.fo Puffin.fo Visit-vestmanna.com