Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Þorgerður Brák was Egil's nursemaid, thought to be a Celtic slave. In one of the more dra-
matic moments in
Egil's Saga,
she heroically saves Egil's life (from an attempted crime of
passion, by his own father, Skallagrímur Kveldúlfsson), and jumps into the sea to escape
the enraged Skallagrímur. Today a sculpture marks a spot near where she leapt, ultimately
to her death: Skallagrímur hit her with a stone, and she never emerged from the water
again.
The strait she swam, between Borgarnes and the islet offshore, is named Brákarsund for
her. The town celebrates an annual
festival
in her honour.
Art Gallery Complex
GALLERY
This quaint new complex on the old town waterfront has an upper storey filled with local
artists' studio-galleries: Gallerý Júlí, Gló and Sóla. Browse crafts made from lava and
bones, glassware, jewellery, paintings and more. The complex is also home to
Edduveröld
.
EGIL'S SAGA
Egil's Sagastarts by recounting the tale of Kveldúlfur, grandfather of the warrior-poet Egil
Skallagrímsson, who fled to Iceland during the 9th century after a falling out with the king
of Norway. Kveldúlfur grew gravely ill on the journey, and instructed his son, Skallagrímur
Kveldúlfsson, to throw his coffin overboard after he died and build the family farm
wherever it washed ashore - this happened to be at
Borg á Mýrum
. Egil Skallagrímsson
grew up to be a fierce and creative individual who killed his first adversary at the age of
seven, went on to carry out numerous raids on Ireland, England and Denmark, and saved
his skin many a time by composing eloquent poetry. Learn about him at Borgarnes' excel-
lent
Settlement Centre
.
For those who'd like to go deep into how the saga ties to the landscape around Bor-
Centre admission, otherwise €15) smartphone or iPad app, which tells the stories of local
landmarks from the tale. The Settlement Centre has marked eight of the sites with
burial mound of the father and son of saga hero Egil Skallagrímsson.
