About Svanshóll

Svanshóll is a historic settlement and registered farm in Bjarnarfjörður, located in the Strandir region of Iceland. It has been continuously inhabited since the year 910—over 11 centuries.

For these 11 centuries, Svanshóll has carried the same name, derived from Svanur the sorcerer, a renowned magician who settled in the area and named his estate Svanshóll. Svanur was the son of Björn, one of the original settlers of Bjarnarfjörður, and his wife Ljúfa—who were also the grandparents of Hallgerður langbrók.

Svanshóll is mentioned in Landnámabók (The Book of Settlements), Njáls Saga, Grettis Saga, and Fóstbræðra Saga, among other historical sources. Svanur was also the maternal uncle of Hallgerður langbrók, and he protected Þjóstólfur after he killed Hallgerður’s first husband, hiding him at Svanshóll.

Svanur á Svanshóli

Svanur of Svanshóll is the first renowned sorcerer of the Strandir region. He is mentioned in Landnámabók (The Book of Settlements), where he is described as the son of Björn, the settler of Bjarnarfjörður, and his wife Ljúfa.

He was a well-known figure during the time when Icelandic sagas were written. Svanur is mentioned in Grettis Saga and Laxdæla Saga, and he plays a significant role in Njáls Saga.

He was the maternal uncle of Hallgerður langbrók and supported her during her marital troubles. He sheltered Þjóstólfur after he had killed Hallgerður’s husband, Þorvaldur, and used sorcery to protect him from pursuers.

When men from Dalir rode to Bjarnarfjarðarháls to avenge Þorvaldur, supernatural beings attacked Svanur. He instructed Þjóstólfur to step outside with him, wrapped a goatskin around his head, and uttered:

"Let there be fog, let there be monstrosities and wonders for all those who pursue you."

Immediately, a thick fog descended upon Bjarnarfjarðarháls, blinding the men from Dalir. They fell from their horses, lost their mounts, wandered into marshes, got lost in the forest, and dropped their weapons. Three times they attempted to cross the ridge, but each time the fog overwhelmed them—only clearing when they abandoned their pursuit.

In Njáls Saga, Svanur is described as "highly skilled in magic" and "difficult to deal with." According to folklore, Svanur could shorten his journey to the sea by walking into a crevice above Svanshóll and emerging in Kaldbaksvík, north of the mountain range, where he would set out to fish.

As for his death, one tale recounts that while he was out at sea, a powerful eastern storm struck, causing his boat to disappear. Fishermen near Kaldbak claimed to have seen Svanur walking into Kaldbakshorn, where he was warmly welcomed.

It was a common ancient belief that men would walk into the mountains upon their death.