Welcome
In a small town in the North East corner of Iceland ascends the Arctic Henge. The monument consist of four six meter tall gates and one ten meter high column. The gates function as a sundial, as they capture the sunlight and cast shadows on precise locations. They are inspired by the four cardinal dwarves of Norse mythology, Austri, Norðri, Suðri and Vestri, that befittingly face their namesake, east, north, south and west. These four dwarfs are acknowledged in the Prose Edda book, and assigned a role by Odin, the god of wisdom, to hold up the sky. In this piece the dwarfs are assigned an additional role, along with the sixty eight dwarfs mentioned in Völuspá and together they form a calendar. Old and new merges as the dwarfs, who all have rather peculiar names, are aligned together to form a chronological circle. This circle is based on their names which relate to the four seasons. Up until this point, the reason for mentioning these sixty eight dwarves in Völuspá has remained a mystery but their names have a clear connotation to the structure of the year. Theories aside, close to the Arctic Circle, the lighting in this remote part of the country is a natural phenomenon. The arctic henge is still under construction.
The Arctic Henge
Set in Raufarhöfn, one of the most remote and northernmost villages in Iceland where the Arctic Circle lies just off the coast, the Arctic Henge (Heimskautsgerðið) is under construction. Similar to its ancient predecessor, Stonehenge, the Arctic Henge is like a huge sundial, aiming to capture the sunrays, cast shadows in precise locations and capture the light between aligned gateways.
History
Heimskautsgerðið (The Arctic-Henge) has it s roots in the innovators Erlingur Thoroddsen’s speculations about the possibility of making use of the endless expanse with nothing on the horizon and the midnight sun.The idea to use the dwarf names from the eddic poem Völuspá (Prophecy of the Seeress) and modernize some aspects of the old world of the Sagas, soon became a part of these speculations. The first version of the idea is from 1998 but in 2004 it was finalized, with allusions to mythology and folklore, designed to interact with the unique natural light. The artist Haukur Halldórsson worked with Erlingur on the ideas for the Heimskautsgerði and made sketches and models that were useful in the work that followed.
No one has been able to explain the dwarfs in the Völuspá, apart from Austri (East), Vestri (West), Norðri (North) and Suðri (South), who carry the sky. By connecting the names of the dwarfs to the season, as for example Bjartur (Bright) Blíður (Sweet) and Svásuður (Gengle) to the summer, it is possible to fit the names of the dwarfs to a yearly circle of 72 weeks. The year-circle of the dwarfs becomes a kind of almanac, where each dwarf controls a five day period. All the dwarfs have been given a role and they have all have their own personalities. This means that the dwarfs can be connected to birthdays and people can connect to their personal dwarf.
Around this made up world rises the Heimskautsgerði (Arctic-Henge) on the Melrakkaás (Foxhill) in Raufarhöfn. The Heimskautsgerði is around 50 meters in diameter, with 6 meter high gates that face the main directions. Between the gates is a high wall with a small opening at the top. Inside the circle stands 10 meter high column on four pillars. The column will be topped with cut prism-glass that splits up the sunlight unto the primary colors. The opening between the pillar look towards the main directions, so example the midnight sun can be seen from the south gate through the middle column and the north gate. The play of light and shadow will follow the time of the day. The openings on the wall will let in the sunrays so when the building is completed a sundial can be set up.
Inside the circle there will be 68 dwarfs who stand around a circular dwarf trail. Inside the trail will also be the polar star pointer, which does exactly what its name says. There you will eventually also be able to find the throne of the sun that is meant to be a place where the traveler can sit down to have his picture taken. Also a hall of rays, which is a sort of sanctuary between high columns, with one seat, where the guest can empty his mind an renew his energy. An altar of fire and water, that reminds us of the power of the elements, where events can be performed, for examples weddings, oath taking and so forth. However, as stated above, the Arctic Henge is still under construction.
Getting There
It´s about 130 km from Húsavík, but good roads all the way, so allow 1.5 hrs. Follow the road 85 northeast out of Húsavík, past Ásbyrgi, taking the 874 road junction east just before Kópasker. Once in Raufarhöfn, you can´t miss the stones, looming impressively on the hill above the town. There is a short track to drive up, or you can walk if you prefer.
Raufarhöfn
A bird trail map and a hiking map is available. There is a bike rental in town. You can go swimming, but there’s also a hot tub, ice bath, sauna, infrared sauna, and a gym in the swimming pool facility. Arctic Anglingis in the area and offers brown trout and arctic char fishing tours with an experienced fishing guide on lakes, creeks and rivers of the peninsula Melrakkaslétta.
Melrakkaslétta
The plain called, Melrakkaslétta, or Fox plain, is known for her attributes such as fishing, bird life and the coast. There you´ll find exceptional nature especially in spring and summer.
Rauðinúpur
From Rauðanúpur is a spectacular view and closeness to the birds on the rocks Karl and Kerling (Men and Women).
Höskuldarnes
There is a newly built bird watching house located close to the farm Höskuldarnes, which is visible from the road. Get a copy of Northeast Birding Trail at the Hotel.
Rauðanes
A hiking path that is approximately 7 km. a 30 min. drive from Raufarhöfn. Enjoy the scenery as you look out for Puffins and other bird species.