Náttfari facts for kids

Náttfari was a crew member who lived a long time ago, around the years 835 to 870. He is famous because he might have been the very first person to live permanently in Iceland. His story is told in an old Icelandic book from the 11th century called Landnámabók, which means "Book of Settlements."

Náttfari was part of a crew led by a man named Garðar Svavarsson. Garðar had found a new island and named it Garðarshólmi, which we now know as Iceland.

Náttfari's Escape

When Garðar Svavarsson decided to leave Iceland, he was sailing towards the Hebrides, a group of islands. But something unexpected happened! As Garðar was leaving Iceland in the spring of 870, heading east towards Norway, a small boat drifted away from his ship.

On this small boat were Náttfari, along with a slave (called a thræll back then) and a bond woman (called an ambátt). They were separated from Garðar's main group.

Finding a New Home

Garðar Svavarsson had first reached the northern coast of Iceland. Náttfari and his two companions found a place to live in this new land. This spot is now known as Náttfaravík, which means "Náttfari's Cove."

Náttfaravík is a beautiful cove located on Skjálfandi Bay. If you look across the bay from Náttfaravík, you can see the town of Húsavík. This is where Náttfari and his companions started their new lives, possibly becoming the first permanent residents of Iceland.