Practical and ecological -- the grass roofs in the Faroe Islands, a remote archipelago halfway between Scotland and Iceland, are the most conspicuous element of the local architecture.
Famous grass roofs —
Practical and ecological -- the grass roofs in the Faroe Islands, a remote archipelago halfway between Scotland and Iceland, are the most conspicuous element of the local architecture.
Dominik Sipinski/CNN
Houses have been built like this for more than 1,000 years, providing protection from rain and thermal insulation. Though challenging to maintain (yes, they need to be mowed), in a place with 300 rainy days a year and average wind speeds exceeding 15 mph, that kind of weather-proofing is key.
Durable houses —
Houses have been built like this for more than 1,000 years, providing protection from rain and thermal insulation. Though challenging to maintain (yes, they need to be mowed), in a place with 300 rainy days a year and average wind speeds exceeding 15 mph, that kind of weather-proofing is key.
Dominik Sipinski/CNN
This is the harbor in Torshavn, capital of the Faroe Islands, at 11 p.m. In summer the sun hardly sets and it never gets completely dark. Surprisingly, there's little nightlife in the city.
Harbor in the capital —
This is the harbor in Torshavn, capital of the Faroe Islands, at 11 p.m. In summer the sun hardly sets and it never gets completely dark. Surprisingly, there's little nightlife in the city.
Dominik Sipinski/CNN
Tarred wooden staves have replaced the old stone walls, as seen on this farmhouse in Kirkjubour, one of the oldest inhabited wooden houses in the world. It dates to the 11th century and for nearly 500 years has belonged to the Patursson family.
Oldest inhabited wooden house —
Tarred wooden staves have replaced the old stone walls, as seen on this farmhouse in Kirkjubour, one of the oldest inhabited wooden houses in the world. It dates to the 11th century and for nearly 500 years has belonged to the Patursson family.
Dominik Sipinski/CNN
The buildings have become symbols of the islands.
Symbolic roofs —
The buildings have become symbols of the islands.
Dominik Sipinski/CNN
In contrast with the usual splendor of government buildings, the administration of the Faroe Islands sits in a few small structures topped with grass. They're located on the Tinganes peninsula in the capital Torshavn where a local "ting" (assembly) has been gathering since the ninth century.
Government bulidings also have grass roofs —
In contrast with the usual splendor of government buildings, the administration of the Faroe Islands sits in a few small structures topped with grass. They're located on the Tinganes peninsula in the capital Torshavn where a local "ting" (assembly) has been gathering since the ninth century.
Dominik Sipinski/CNN
Sheep and goats are common intruders on the well maintained Faroese roads.
Sheep and goats are typical —
Sheep and goats are common intruders on the well maintained Faroese roads.
Dominik Sipinski/CNN
One of the most picturesque churches in the Faroes is in Saksun. Surrounded by waterfalls and overlooking a narrow fjord, this church was built in 1858 with, naturally, a roof made of the surrounding turf.
And churches too —
One of the most picturesque churches in the Faroes is in Saksun. Surrounded by waterfalls and overlooking a narrow fjord, this church was built in 1858 with, naturally, a roof made of the surrounding turf.
Dominik Sipinski/CNN
Edges of the grass roofs are formed from a vertical stave or a log hooked to the roof. Additional sealing can be made using birch bark. Grass is laid in prepared, cut pieces and keeps growing once on the roof.
Grass keeps growing —
Edges of the grass roofs are formed from a vertical stave or a log hooked to the roof. Additional sealing can be made using birch bark. Grass is laid in prepared, cut pieces and keeps growing once on the roof.
Dominik Sipinski/CNN
Modern architecture can be found on the Faroe Islands, but many locals still opt for grass roofs.
Traditionalists —
Modern architecture can be found on the Faroe Islands, but many locals still opt for grass roofs.
Dominik Sipinski/CNN
The Nordic House, a national cultural center opened in 1983, also sports a grass roof. The custom of topping houses in such a way used to be common to the whole Scandinavia, but it survives to the largest extent in the Faroe Islands.
The Nordic House —
The Nordic House, a national cultural center opened in 1983, also sports a grass roof. The custom of topping houses in such a way used to be common to the whole Scandinavia, but it survives to the largest extent in the Faroe Islands.
Dominik Sipinski/CNN
These sheds at the Leitisvatn lake were originally built by early Viking settlers.
Challenging to maintain —
These sheds at the Leitisvatn lake were originally built by early Viking settlers.
Dominik Sipinski/CNN
In Torshavn harbor, a Smyril Line ship has just arrived from Denmark, bringing tourists for a three-day stopover on their way to Iceland.
Icelandic stopover —
In Torshavn harbor, a Smyril Line ship has just arrived from Denmark, bringing tourists for a three-day stopover on their way to Iceland.
Dominik Sipinski/CNN
A narrow road from underneath Slættaratindur, the highest peak in the Faroe Islands, descends to Funningur in thrilling serpentine lanes.
Tough drives —
A narrow road from underneath Slættaratindur, the highest peak in the Faroe Islands, descends to Funningur in thrilling serpentine lanes.
Dominik Sipinski/CNN