Mjørkadalur Prison Travel Guide

Mjørkadalur Prison might be the only jail in the world with grass roof. Located in the wind-swept Faroe Islands, this is the only place for prisoners to stay in the archipelago. The buildings that make up today’s prison is an abandoned NATO military base.

Situated on Streymoy Island in the middle of nowhere in a valley with nothing else then an epic view of the Kaldbaksfjørður Fjord, the sights here are impressive. Hit the mountainous road Oyggjarvegur and before you know it, the prion is there.

There is a small parking lot where you can pull-off. Travellers come to this attraction to capture the view of the sod-roofed building with the narrow fjord as a backdrop. The unpaved parking lot is located just above the prison itself next to the main road open for traffic all year round. This is a great place to stop for some epic photos of the sod-roofed buildings and the fjord. Above all, thi sis a place to soak in the peaceful surroundings.

Two White Domes Nearby

On the mountain summit above the prison sits two white domes. They are placed on top of Mount Sornfelli. These domes used to monitor traffic around the Faroe Islands. Moreover, staff connected to the domes lived in the buildings that are now used as the only prison in the archipelago.

Only prisoners convicted of soft crime spend their time in prison at Mjørkadalur Prison. Thanks to the relations between Denmark and the Faroe Islands, persons convicted of serious illegal acts are moved to Denmark.

This arrangement reflects the Faroe Islands’ status as an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, with Denmark retaining responsibility for certain governmental functions. The remote location and modest security features of Mjørkadalur make it suitable only for low-risk offenders.

Torfinnur Jákupsson

Torfinnur Jákupsson is a renowned filmmaker and screenwriter from the Faroe Islands. Born and raised in the Faroe Islands, Jákupsson has contributed to bring the culture and landscapes of this North Atlantic archipelago to a broader audience. His most notable work is Trom, a Faroese crime drama series that premiered in 2022. Trom was the first major TV series filmed entirely in the Faroe Islands. Based on local crime novels, the series follows a journalist as he investigates a murder and uncovers environmental and political tensions within the community. Jákupsson's compelling storytelling, combined with the stark beauty of the Faroese landscape, earned Trom international acclaim. The series has been broadcasted on BBC in the UK and SBS in Australia among others. Jákupsson explore themes of isolation, identity, and the interaction between traditional and modern Faroese life, resonating with both local and global audiences. He holds a master's degree from University of Westminster in Audio Production.

Go to author