Herdísarvík

Now abandoned, the former estate Herdísarvík, now abandoned, stood on the synonymous cove in Selvogur. The steep cliffs of Mt Herdísarvíkurfjall (329m) protrude behind it to the north, and several lava tongues on its slopes bear witness to prehistoric eruptions in the area and some of them reached the sea. Along the coastline are still a few apparent ruins of ancient fishing outfits, which were declared inviolate in 1973.

According to the legend, a woman, Herdís, lived in Herdísarvík in the past, and her sister, Krýsa, in Krýsuvík. They did not see eye to eye and were constantly at each other’s throats. Both sisters practiced witchcraft and continuously played tricks on each other.

The renowned poet and entrepreneur Einar Benediktsson spent the last years in his house in Herdísarvík. In 1935 he donated it to The University of Iceland, and union professors sometimes spend their holidays there.

Herdísarvík is not far from the South Coast Lighthouse Trail, which connects Þorlákshöfn, Eyrarbakki, and Stokkseyri and, at the same time, tells the history and culture of the places as well as all the possibilities for experience in recreation and nature.