ANCIENTT H I N G S I T E S A N DS P R I N G T H I N G S

ANCIENT THINGSITES AND SPRING THINGS

The order of things in the Faroe Islands is well documented in the proceedings of the spring things together with stories and tales. Alike in our neighbouring countries, there are place-­‐names incorpora=ng the word =ng, ding (thing), gálga (gallow) or dóm (verdict). These names are referring to thing-­‐sites or ac=ons involving the thing. The thing may have been held only once at a site, however, the place-­‐name has survived in the everyday speech.

The thing sites might not be as visible today, but they are a crucial part of our history. If you are standing at a thing-­‐site, you can imagine the Faroese mee=ng here 1000 years ago in order to form the society.

Travel around the Faroe Islands and visit our ancient and old spring thing-­‐sites and also our main thing at Tinganes. Visit the website www.thingsites.com and read more about the spring thing-­‐sites in the Faroe Islands. More informa=on about the Thing Project which also includes thing-­‐sites in Norway, Iceland, Shetland, Orkney, Scotland and Isle of Man is found on www.thingproject.eu.

This thing trail can also be made as a geocache tour – www.geocathing.com

Spring Things in Faroe Islands Main thing in Faroe Islands

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Stevnuválur, Millum Fjarða Eysturoy

T H E S P R I N G T H I N G S W E R E PA RT O F OUR ANCIENT ORDER OF THINGS Suðuroy – Uppi millum Stovur The spring thing was held in Øravík, while the ancient thingsite was situated in the middle of the island by the path between

The Northern Islands – í Vági The ancient thing-site was situated í Køtlum above Árna&ørður. There are stones which are said to depict the thing-site. Later, the thing moved to the farm í Vági. The farm house is not there any longer. Today, however, you can find a cosy area with benches and a chess board

Øravík and the southern villages. It is possible to find site “Tingstovan” by following the cairned track from Øravík or by the road driving towards Fámjin. A sign indicates where to start, and the walk is easy. The thing-table is a big flat stone in the hollow where the thing was held.

Sandoy – Í Trøðum The ancient thing-site was in the middle of the islands, Millum Vatna, between two big lakes. Later, the thing was gathered in the farm í Trøðum east of the lake in Sandur. A large stone known as the “thingtable”can be seen next to the road.

Vágar – Á Ryggi According to legends, thing has been held up in the hills at Dómstólar in Kvígandali. Later, the thing-site was moved to the

Streymoy – Tinggarðurin Nothing has been mentioned about spring things on Streymoy, but in Kolla&ørður next to the church is Tinggarðurin (the farmstead), in which autumn things were held. The main thing was on Tinganes in Tórshavn. The thing was gathered during the summer and early on this has been connected to the St. Olaf ’s Wake.

Nowadays the Faroese Parliament still gathers in Tórshavn and the opening of the parliament is at St. Olaf ’s Wake the 29th July.

farm Heima í Stovu á Ryggi in the village of Miðvágur. Things were held indoors; however, a constructed stone silo indicates where the farm was located.

Eysturoy – Stevnuválur - Selatrað The thing-site Stevnuválur is situated Millum Fjarða and is known from the stories about the farmer Orm. Later, the thing was moved to the village of Selatrað, where the thing presumably was held indoors. However, a large stone is found northerly in the village called Tingborðið (the thing table) and by the shore a thief was hanged in late 17th C by the Gálgastein.

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