Faroese fortress Skansin at risk of collapse, urgent restoration needed
The historic fortress of Skansin in Tórshavn is in such poor condition that parts of its walls are at risk of collapse, according to a warning from the National Museum of the Faroe Islands (Tjóðsavnið) and the public works authority Landsverk, as reported by Kringvarp Føroya.
Skansin is considered one of the Faroe Islands’ foremost historic monuments and the only fortification of its kind in the country. According to historical accounts, Magnus Heinason is said to have built the original fortress around 1580 to defend Tórshavn against pirates and foreign attacks.
Walls shifting and bulging
Tjóðsavnið and Landsverk have monitored conditions at Skansin for several years. On the northern side, a stretch of wall measuring up to 10 to 12 metres has both sunk and bulged outward by around 20 to 30 centimetres, and several stones in the lowest course have come loose. A large bulge has also developed in a section of the southern wall.
The situation was deemed serious enough that fencing has been erected around the most at-risk areas to protect the public in the event of a wall collapse.
Trial restoration carried out in 2021
A trial restoration was conducted in 2021 to assess the best approach for repairs. This included testing a new drainage system and using a specially formulated mortar for repointing, as standard concrete is not considered suitable for such old masonry. Tjóðsavnið assessed the trial as successful, but says it is still necessary to consult foreign specialists before a final decision is made on how to proceed.
Work expected to take several years
Tjóðsavnið and Landsverk are recommending that emergency restoration work on the northern and southern walls begins as soon as possible. Once that work is complete, restoration of the remaining walls will also be required. Landsverk estimates the project will be both costly and take several years to complete, but says it is too early to give a final figure for the total cost of restoring Skansin.