From Ambassador (The story of Stokkseyri)
2024/10/8

There is a village called Stokkseyri on the coast near Selfoss in southern Iceland.
Even though it is called a “village”, there are few houses and it has a very deserted feel. The high breakwater blocks the view of the coast from the road. And as it is also off the main road, it is rarely visited by tourists. There is one fairly well-known restaurant that serves langoustines, so perhaps some people stop by for that reason. (Actually, I'm one of them…) In the close-by village of Eyrarbakki, there is also one of the few prisons in Iceland.
I had always wondered why there was a settlement like this in such a remote place along the coast, where there was no proper port. But after reading “Seawomen of Iceland: Survival on the Edge” (written by Margaret Willson, 2016, University of Washington Press), I finally gained a little more understanding of the situation.
Until the 1800s, the only fishing boats in the area were wooden rowboats. Later, sailing ships also appeared, but it was not until the 20th century that diesel-powered motor boats were introduced. This was a major event in Iceland, comparable to the Industrial Revolution. Due to the fact that the inlet and pebble beach of Stokkseyri were convenient for pulling up small rowboats, the area had been utilized since ancient times. However it was not suitable for berthing the large motorized ships introduced later on.
As the 20th century began, the construction of harbors where such ships could dock began, followed by the formation of new fishing towns around these harbors. It was actually from this period onwards that towns began to take shape in Iceland.
Although the village of Stokkseyri itself has a long history, it seems to have been left behind in Iceland's industrial transformation.
Incidentally, a record remains of a renowned female sea captain named Thurídur Einarsdóttir, a legendary fisherman here in the past. If you are interested, please refer to the book above!
Even though it is called a “village”, there are few houses and it has a very deserted feel. The high breakwater blocks the view of the coast from the road. And as it is also off the main road, it is rarely visited by tourists. There is one fairly well-known restaurant that serves langoustines, so perhaps some people stop by for that reason. (Actually, I'm one of them…) In the close-by village of Eyrarbakki, there is also one of the few prisons in Iceland.
I had always wondered why there was a settlement like this in such a remote place along the coast, where there was no proper port. But after reading “Seawomen of Iceland: Survival on the Edge” (written by Margaret Willson, 2016, University of Washington Press), I finally gained a little more understanding of the situation.
Until the 1800s, the only fishing boats in the area were wooden rowboats. Later, sailing ships also appeared, but it was not until the 20th century that diesel-powered motor boats were introduced. This was a major event in Iceland, comparable to the Industrial Revolution. Due to the fact that the inlet and pebble beach of Stokkseyri were convenient for pulling up small rowboats, the area had been utilized since ancient times. However it was not suitable for berthing the large motorized ships introduced later on.
As the 20th century began, the construction of harbors where such ships could dock began, followed by the formation of new fishing towns around these harbors. It was actually from this period onwards that towns began to take shape in Iceland.
Although the village of Stokkseyri itself has a long history, it seems to have been left behind in Iceland's industrial transformation.
Incidentally, a record remains of a renowned female sea captain named Thurídur Einarsdóttir, a legendary fisherman here in the past. If you are interested, please refer to the book above!