Best known for its volcanic eruption in 1973, when for half the year the island was subjected to lava flows which threatened its houses and harbor, starkly beautiful Heimaey with its towering puffin-covered cliffs is the largest and the only inhabited of the Vestmannaeyjar or Westman Islands off Iceland's southern coast (pop. 4,500).
Eldfell erupted unexpectedly in 1973, spewing lava and changing the landscape os the island. Townspeople were able to cool and slow the flow before it closed the harbor. Today visitors can see the newly created lava field.
In August young puffins (pufflings) no longer fed by their parents attempt to leave their cliff-side nests. Drawn by the lights of Heimaey, hundred of the young birds spread their wings and glide down from the mountains only to strand themselves on the pavement of the town. Local children collect them in cardboard boxes, releasing them in the morning by tossing them high in the air towards the ocean.
One of Iceland's best natural history museums has a research aquarium that contains peculiar creatures of the deep and it played role in returning Keiko, the orca whale of Free Willy fame, back to Icelandic waters. Fish, including a collection of live Icelandic cod and catfish and other natural species are on display plus a rock and mineral collection.
The Heimaey Folk Museum has a large collection of art from the area, nautical relics and samples of Icelandic currency and stamps. Maps and photos of Heimaey Island prior to the 1973 eruption are available for viewing.
Pjódhátíð means 'People's Feast' and is pronounced 'Thod-Ya-Tid'. The three-day festival held in early August commemorates the signing of Iceland's first constitution on 1 July 1874, which granted semi-independence from Denmark.
Foul weather prevented islanders from traveling to the mainland so they hold their own feast a month or so later.
Many mainlanders attend this event which means camping in a tent city and enjoying barbeques, bonfires, fire-works, singing. and dancing.
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Eldfell and Helgafell Volcanoes
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Heimaey
