Hvalfjörður is situated in the west of Iceland, and the fjord is approximately 30 km long and 5 km wide. The place has an interesting history.
During WWII, a naval base of the British and American navies could be found in this fjord. One of the piers built by the United States Navy is today used by the Hvalur whaling company for the processing of fin whales, partially for the domestic market, and mostly for export to Japan. None of this in 2019 though.
The origin of the name Hvalfjörður is uncertain. Certainly today there is no presence of whales in the fjord; while the only whaling station in Iceland is still located here. In the past the fjord also contained many herring fisheries.
Today the old buildings, and some newer ones, are still standing for the workers at the station, even if there were no workers this year. Only goats…
Outside the main building, we came across this lovely man and could ask him about old times, the navy men, the whales and the Japanese workers. In fact, as a young man he had worked as a whaler here himself. Now he was just trying to repair and maintain the houses.
Some of the small houses looked inhabited and we could see through the windows how cosy they were inside. A bit small, but much better than a tent. They could maybe be rented by tourists? I asked – but no, the government did not allow that. The huts were deemed too simple. We learned that they had no toilet and no kitchen. There was this main building for that purpose.
Leya 
I’m like Jo….
Like the second image.
Thanks, Amy!
Such beautiful, lush greens! ❤
I am glad that these places are now spots of historical interest and not actively processing whales. It is sad to think of the slaughter their numbers endured.
Sad it is. And the first time we went to Iceland, somewhere in the 80’s I think, we watched them processing a newly caught whale here, at this very station. I cried all the way. Horrible. My husband was a teacher then and would document and use it in his classes.
Oh, that must be a horrible memory, Ann-Christine.Although I find the profession odious personally, I know it is part of human nature, we were hunter gatherers, and am somewhat impressed by people who are able to do such things for their living. I do eat meat but am a bit hypocritical in that I could not slaughter the animal myself. Not sure I could do it even if starving.
Yes…I closed my eyes most of the time, but still remember. They finished off this giant whale in two hours. And I am with you on eating meat but incapable of killing an animal. but I think nature takes over and you will finally do it to survive.
It looks peaceful now, but the words processing and whales in the same sentence curdles my blood, hon. 🙂
I know…
Really fascinating. Thanks. Thom
Interesting, yes, thank you.
yikes – no kitchen or toilet – but at least the main area allowed it – and great shot of the man with such a rich history connected here –
🙂
He was rather suspicious at first, I think. Maybe he thought we were some kind of journalists or activists. But it turned out well.
The whaling industry is a tale told over time.
How interesting!
How interesting!
It is. History is even if it is not very pleasant.
I believe mostly Japan deals with it nowadays?