Saksunar Kirkja, Faroe
This has to be one of my favourite churches, so no excuses for showing it again. The grass roofed church of Saksun located on the shores of a sea loch at the end of Saksunardalur. The evocative dark mountains, the waters running down every crevasse, vegetation that is still a vibrant lush green even on the darkest of Faroe days all add to the drama of the location of this little church.
What make it even more interesting is that this church is in its second home. Originally it was located on the opposite side of the mountains at Tjornuvik. But the congregation at that time had to make a very long trek to worship. So in 1858 the church was disassemble, carried over the mountains and reconstructed where it is today. The task cannot have been easy, but being entirely constructed of wood made the task possible. Stone walls have since been added at this new location.
When we were there the church was locked which was a shame….but that did nothing to detract from the spiritual feeling of solitude and peace, yet at the same time, a personal feeling of insignificant below the surrounding mountain. It possibly goes without saying that it was raining on our visit….on looking at other images of Saksun it would appear that this is the usual. Maybe that was part of the beauty.
28th January
(C) David Oakes 2018
DAVID OAKES - IMAGES. 