Iceland review - 2014, Side 88

86 ICELAND REVIEW
Eldheimar:
Pompeii of the North
One day in January 1973, life changed for the residents of Ice-
land’s Westman Islands, forever. A volcanic eruption started in
their town that would keep them away from home, on the Icelandic
mainland, for over seven months. It was by no means certain they
would ever go home at all.
Thousands were evacuated (miraculously there was only one
death), yet half the town was covered in ash and lava and many
houses were never saved. Residents returned home to the task of
building new homes while seeing their old ones frozen in time for-
ever—or so they thought.
Since 1973, the story of Heimaey (the name of the populated
Westman Island) has captivated the world and thousands have vis-
ited to catch a glimpse of the eerie 1970s ‘Pompeii’.
These adventurous explorers gave the Westman Islanders the
idea of turning their tragedy into an educational attraction. After
years of planning, digging, preserving and exploring, the Eldheimar
—Pompeii of the North visitor centre is now ready to formally open
this spring. And it’s well worth a visit.
As you approach the brightly colored roofs sticking up through
the warm black ground, you will start to notice other details: like
the fact that you can see right into some of the buildings. Some
of the homes remain as they were when their families ran for their
lives. Plates on the table, clock on the wall, dry sink with tap still
in the on position. It is spooky and fascinating at the same time.
The new on-site museum adds a whole new level to the ex-
perience and will guide you through the entire eruption from a
scientific, and also a deeply personal, viewpoint.
The Westman Islands have not only been a popular destination
for decades because of the volcano, but also because they are
the biggest puffin colony in the world and just a beautiful place
to be, populated by a cool bunch of people. None of this has
changed, but it has gotten a whole lot easier to get there.
Since Landeyjahöfn harbor opened in 2010, the ferry crossing
to the Westman Islands takes just half an hour and it even con-
nects with the Reykjavík city bus network. You can also fly there
from Reykjavík. Simple! eldheimar.is
In the charming Westman Islands, a brand
new museum reveals many houses covered
in ash—frozen in time—by the historic 1973
volcanic eruption.
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