Ísafjörður is located on an outcropping of land that extends out into the ocean. It is surrounded by tall, flat-topped mountains that separate the town from its neighbors and help shelter Ísafjörður from bad weather. Both the mountains and the ocean play a role in how Ísfirðingar (EES-fir-thin-gar), people from Ísafjörður, live in their day-to-day lives.
Looking around Ísafjörður, you'll probably notice a big "bowl shape" in the side of one of the mountains. This is Naustahvilft (NOI-sta-kvilft), or the "troll seat." The story goes that a troll was hurrying home one night to avoid being caught by the sun (which would turn her to stone), but she grew very tired and needed to rest. She sat down for a while on the mountain before continuing on her way. She left behind her "seat" in the mountain that we see today. Now, it's the destination for a popular hiking trail, and I hear the views from the top are gorgeous! I can see Naustahvilft from my bedroom window and plan to climb it in the summer.
