Looking back, Eskifjörður has the second oldest tradition as a trading post in East Iceland (after Djúpivogur), having received its certification at the same time as Reykjavík, when the Danish monopoly in Iceland was relaxed in 1786.

Eskifjörður was a big commerce town back in the day and it got its first municipal rights in 1786. Commerce has been a big part of this town all since 1786, when the Danish commerce company “Öðrum and Wulff” started its business in Iceland. There they raised the first store complex in “Útkaupstöðum”. In the year 1801 the people in this place were 21. Then when Norwegian herring in the east started, the population in Eskifjörð exploded in the late 19th century. The population went up to 228 people. This town is a part of “Fjarðarbyggð” and the population is now 1.050. Fishing and fish processing is the main industry and lifeblood of this town, and there resides one of the biggest fisheries in the country. “Eskja” the Maritime Museum of “Austurland” is in the old store complex that “Öðrum and Wulff” raised in 1816. There you can see the relics of fisheries and fish processing plant, and how it was done in the olden days in the east. Eskifirðinga pride and glory, “Hólmatindur” stands 985 meters high and overlooks the fjord. It’s a hard walk up there, and on the top you can put your name down in the guest book.

One of the most know spar mining quarry’s in the world is in “Helgustöðum”, there the spar was mined up in the 17th century up until the 20th century. This mine lies out in “Reyðarfirði” and there you can find a walking path. In “Eskifirði” you can find a grocery- and specialty stores, sale booths, a garage, a guesthouse, a pharmacy, clinic, and more. Camping area is in the town and a new geo thermal heated beautiful outdoor swimming pool.

 

Photos from the photographic museum of Eskifjordur (more of them here)