Live webcams Skagafjordur - a community in the north of Iceland

Skagafjordur webcams can be watched online to enjoy both the rich cultural heritage and lifestyle. The area is an ideal place to experience the spirit of Icelandic nature, go horseback riding and participate in themed events. In addition, there are many historical places, including museums with unique exhibits.

The history of Skagafjordur has been shaped by the presence of the episcopal seat.

For centuries, the main harbors of the area were Hofsos and Kolkuos, which are directly connected to the episcopate. Similarly, the main route east to Eyjafjordur via Hjaltadalsheidi and Heljardalsheidi passed Holar. The inhabitants of Skagafjörður often chose to do other work rather than farming. In this they were considered different from other Icelanders. Horseback riding was also widespread here, and jokingly, many said they would rather ride horses than do household chores. Great importance was attached to culture and literature.
At the same time, despite the above, the vast majority of the inhabitants earned their living by agriculture, many of them were also engaged in fishing. From about 1650 to 1850, as the impact of the Industrial Revolution began to be felt, the general population began to migrate from the countryside. Many moved to North America, while others simply moved to the villages and large cities of Iceland.
In 1798 the episcopal residence in Holar was abolished. In 1881 an agricultural school was established here. Today Hólar University College is a modern, busy university focused on horse breeding, aquaculture and tourism.

Webcams of Skagafjordur can be viewed online on the website.

In 1858 it was legally established as a market town and traveling merchants began trading on the nearby seashore. In 1871, the first resident, the blacksmith Arni Arnason, settled there and began to run a public house. Two years later, the first permanent store was built, founded by the "Greenland traveler" Hallur Asgrimsson. In 1875 he sold the store to the merchant Ludwig Popp, who ran it for decades under the name Popp's Store (Poppsverslun). Ludwig Popp can be called the father of Saudarkrokur. He participated in numerous events in the young community. Around 1900, there were so many shops in the city that some wits called it Copenhagen, referring to the large number of merchants. Little by little, the fishing industry began to develop, although trade and services for the countryside continued to be the main area of ​​employment.

The municipality of Skagafjörður is currently home to 4,181 residents, with another 230 living in the independent district of Akrahreppur.

Overall, the population has declined over the past decade. Today, fishing, industry, trade and government services are the largest areas of employment here, while agriculture remains the largest economic sector elsewhere in the region.
Above the city, next to the cemetery, is an observation deck that offers great views of the old town, the countryside and the fjord. There are also areas used by city dwellers for their sheep, and if you visit here in the spring, you can see young lambs and foals. The golf course here is considered one of the best in Iceland. Interestingly, the name of the city comes from the river Sauðá (Sheep River) and krókur (hook). In the valley of the Sauðá (sheep river) lies the Litli Skógur (little forest) which has wonderful little passages through birch and beech trees and is a great place for a picnic.
To the east of Skagafjordur is the City Sands, a four-kilometer stretch of beach where you can spend time building sandcastles, taking long walks and playing with your children. A little further south, near Ashildarholtsvatn, you can observe many different bird species. There are signs in the area informing about the types of birds that can be found here.
The Icelandic migration center Hofos, where the exhibition "New Land, New Life" is located, will be interesting to visit. This exhibition gives an insight into the lives of the thousands of Icelanders who immigrated to the New World. Thanks to photographs, archival documents and artifacts, one can understand the reasons for leaving, as well as learn about the social and economic situation in Iceland at that time. Decorations and reconstructions are used to illustrate the lifestyle of ordinary Icelanders at the end of the 19th century. Yearly weather reports show the effect of climate on emigration patterns, while maps and charts show where the Icelanders came from, where they settled in the New World and how many emigrated each year. The hopes of emigrants, their preparation for departure, the conditions of their travels and the reality that awaited them in the New World are described. The exhibition belongs to the Glaumber Folk Museum.