- Kirkjubøargarður
Kirkjubøargarður (Faroese for "Yard of
Kirkjubøur ", also known as "King's Farm") is one of the oldest still inhabited wooden houses of the world. Thefarm itself has always been the largest in theFaroe Islands .The old
farmhouse of Kirkjubøur dates back to the 11th century. It was the episcopal residence and seminary of theDiocese of the Faroe Islands , from about 1100. The legend says, that the wood for the block houses came asdriftwood fromNorway and was accurately bundled and numbered, just for being set up. Note, that there is no forest in the Faroes and wood is a very valuable material. Many such wood legends are thus to be found in Faroese history.The oldest part is a so-called "
roykstova " (reek parlour, or smoke room). Perhaps it was moved one day, because it does not fit to its foundation. Another ancient room is the "loftstovan" (loft room). It is supposed thatBishop Erlendur wrote the "Sheep Letter " here in 1298. This is the earliest document of the Faroes we know today. It is the statute concerning sheep breeding on the Faroes.Today the room is the farm's library. The "stórastovan" (large room) is from a much later date, being built in 1772.Though the farmhouse is a
museum , the 17th generation of thePatursson Family , which has occupied it since 1550, is still living here. Shortly after theReformation in the Faroe Islands in 1538, all the real estate of the Catholic church was seized by theKing 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 aretenant s from generation to generation. It is always the oldest son, who becomes "King's Farmer", and in contrast to the privately 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 there is 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 theSaint 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 were 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 farmerJóannes 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 links
* [http://www.patursson.com/ Patursson.com — website of the Patursson family] (in English and Faroese)
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