The best walks and hikes in Fjallabyggð

In earlier years, herring was probably salted here. Today, there is a cozy little restaurant (Herring Café or Sildarkaffi) here.

The Herring Museum in Siglufjörður is one of Iceland's largest museums. Visitors learn the fascinating story of how the Icelandic nation rose from centuries of poverty to widespread prosperity, with herring playing a key role in the dramatic changes to Iceland's way of life in the 20th century. The events surrounding herring were so important to the people and the country that they referred to them as an adventure – the síldarævintýrið (Herring Adventure). Herring farms, large and small, sprang up at every harbor in the north and east of the island, and Siglufjörður, thanks to its favorable location and large, sheltered harbor, became one of Iceland's most important fishing ports. Although the northern herring has long since disappeared due to overfishing, the town bears clear traces of the spectacular events of the herring years. The Síldarminjasafn preserves Iceland's significant past, and in particular, the town, and brings it closer to visitors. At its peak, around 10,000 people were employed in catching and processing fish in Iceland, and the fish market in the center of Siglufjörður was the fifth largest in Iceland.

Without herring, Iceland would likely not have been able to develop into a modern society. The great herring boom began around 1870. Norwegians came to Iceland and used huge land-based nets in the East Fjords. Norwegian shipowners were soon able to afford land and built houses and piers. However, a cold spell beginning in 1883 with pack ice and cold winters brought an abrupt end to Norwegian fishing activities. It wasn't until the beginning of the 20th century that they returned to Iceland. The huge Norwegian fleet was a fascinating sight for Icelanders. The Norwegians caught fish in the waters off northern Iceland with drift nets. Purse seine nets were also used very successfully. New herring towns were founded, and many Icelanders found work processing herring for Norwegians. Some Icelanders also entered the big business as entrepreneurs. Norwegian dominance in the industry declined, and in 1916, the number of barrels processed by Icelanders exceeded the amount processed by Norwegians for the first time. Power-driven ships and efficient equipment made large-scale herring fishing possible. Salted herring became an important foodstuff, especially during the two World Wars. Besides the Scandinavian countries, Germany, Russia, and the USA were the most important markets. Fish oil and fishmeal were also produced on a large scale from herring. In some years, herring products accounted for almost half of Iceland's export earnings. However, Icelanders discovered that herring is not an inexhaustible resource. Intensive fishing led to overfishing, and catches temporarily fell significantly in the mid-20th century. Then catches rose again, and the herring towns along the coast experienced a brief heyday. In 1969, the herring shoals suddenly disappeared, and the herring adventure was finally over.

Memorial commemorating the role of the herring girls in the Icelandic economy during the last century. During the peak herring fishing season, about a thousand herring girls were on duty in Siglufjörður, ready to perform their duties day and night, whatever the weather.

The only gas station in town is Oli's Gas Station. Here you can eat delicious hot dogs for a reasonable price. The gas station appears several times in the first season of Trapped, as this is where the young people meet.

The hotel in the first season of Trapped is also a hotel in real life. However, the interior scenes were not filmed here. Some of the stranded ferry passengers stay here and the hotel manager has his office here.

Andri's in-laws live in this house in the first season. Many scenes take place here and Andri sleeps on the sofa here.

The town's church played a role in the first season. Here in the Siglufjarðarkirkja, Andri gives his speech to the people. Unfortunately, the church was closed when we were there. I would have loved to see it from the inside.