Akraberg

Akraberg ( fär. for " cliff fields " ) is the southernmost point of Suðuroy in the Faroe Islands. Here is one of the Faroese lighthouses.

Previously settled here Irish monks and later friezes. Last Akraberg was inhabited by a lighthouse keeper with family, today the place is deserted.

Akraberg is also the southernmost point of the Faroe Islands (apart from the offshore archipelago group Sumbiarsteinur ). From here it is about 300 km (162 miles ) to the next country, the Shetland Islands. The other extreme points of the Faroe Islands are Mykineshólmur, Mykines ( West), Enniberg, Viðoy ( North) and Stapin, Fugloy (East).

Akraberg is a popular destination because of its exposed position. There is a road link.

The Lighthouse

The Lighthouse of Akraberg was built in 1909. Simultaneously, a lighthouse keeper and the associated personnel were hired. Since the distance to the nearest village, Sumba (2 km north-west ), was relatively large, had to be built in Akraberg also houses for the staff. Today it is no longer necessary, the lighthouse every day to operate and maintain. Therefore, no one lives in Akraberg.

Ancient Settlement History

It has been on the east side of Akraberg residues found from high-lying fields made by Irish monks ( hermits ) originate, who came to 625 on the Shetland Islands in their skin boats and settled mainly on Suðuroy.

The chronicler Adam of Bremen reported that Frisians, who were traveling to Iceland in 1040 beached on a coast with strong currents and settled there. The report may contain the historical truth about the Frisians, who settled on Akraberg where strong current prevails, and where they could take over the fields, which had the Irish monks of his time worked.

The Frisians, who lived on Akraberg, were the only nations in the country until the Black Death in 1350 had expired twelve of their thirteen houses. The only survivors, a farmer and his two sons moved to Sumba, where they married with three of the surviving women. To the east of the lighthouse you can see traces of the high-lying fields, which have cultivated the Irish monks on the steep slopes still. Most of the field areas has swept the sea over time. With care, you can go on the steep sheep trails to the north.

Another legend says that the Frisians were pirates.

Broadcaster

Akraberg since 1990 also the location of a medium wave transmitter of the Faroese radio Útvarp Føroya, who (usually, however, only 25 kW) sends transmit power at the frequency of 531 kHz with 100 kW and at night should be received in Northern Germany at least. As a transmitting antenna, a 147 -meter-high insulated against ground steel truss mast is used with a triangular cross-section.

In 2008, a new semiconductor transmitter was installed, replacing the old tube transmitters. Since then, the maximum transmit power instead of 200 kilowatts or 100 kilowatts. However, it is usually sent for reasons of cost with a power of 25 kW.