World's first undersea roundabout

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Photo: Ólavur Frederiksen

The unique roundabout with its sumptuous light decoration

World's first undersea roundabout

Did you know that the Faroes Islands can now boast the only underwater roundabout anywhere in the world? Yeah, you read that correctly – we’re not joking!

Located deep under the North Atlantic between Tórshavn and the island of Eysturoy, immediately to the east, the roundabout is also a unique piece of art in its own right and has to be seen – and heard – to be believed. The roundabout is located in our latest sub-sea tunnel which opened in December 2020. Not only has the tunnel drastically cut journey times across the islands, but it’s also provided two of our local artists with the opportunity of a lifetime to create something totally out of the ordinary, some might even say other-worldly.

Three-in-one tunnel The new Eysturoy tunnel is actually three tunnelsin-one, linking Tórshavn with both sides of Skálafjørður fjord over on Eysturoy. So, when you drive through the tunnel and reach the roundabout, deep beneath the sea, you simply drive around it, as you would anywhere else, and select your destination.

Dome-shaped jellyfish But this is no ordinary roundabout, of course! It’s been designed to look like a giant dome-shaped jellyfish – indeed, the aquamarine lighting and the presence of life-size dancing figures certainly gives the whole structure a striking appearance. Renowned Faroese artist, Tróndur Patursson, has drawn inspiration for the installation from the traditional Faroese chain dance, where people held hands and danced in a ring, to suggest strength through togetherness as people dance into the light.

The unique sound of the tunnel Driving through the tunnel, tune into 97FM on your car radio and you’ll hear a unique piece of ambient music, specially composed by musician, Jens L. Thomsen, using sounds from the tunnel’s construction. The music perfectly complements your journey through the tunnel, the biggest infrastructure project ever undertaken in the Faroe Islands at over 11km in length. And it doesn’t stop there. Work is currently well underway on another tunnel which will link Tórshavn to the southern island of Sandoy. Roughly the same length as the Eysturoy tunnel, completion of the new Sandoy tunnel is due in 2023.