In the Faroe Islands, a self-governing nation within the Kingdom of Denmark, wild weather can make traveling by car or ferry challenging. To overcome these challenges, the Faroese have built 17 land tunnels and four subsea tunnels, including the world’s only subsea tunnel with a roundabout underwater.
The most recent additions to the tunnel network are the Eysturoy and Sandoy tunnels, which have become tourist attractions in their own right. The Eysturoy Tunnel, which opened in 2020, is 11 kilometers long and has a subsea section with a stunning, roundabout that is nicknamed “the jellyfish.” The tunnel was designed by leading engineers and geologists and features a sculptural installation created by renowned Faroese artist Tróndur Patursson. The tunnel is equipped with an ethereal soundscape composed by musician Jens L. Thomsen, which can be listened to on FM97 while driving through.
The Sandoy Tunnel, which opened in 2023, is approximately 6.5 miles long and at its lowest point is 155 meters below sea level. The tunnel features visual and auditory art, including glowing images of Faroese folklore characters along the rough basalt walls. The art was created by Edward Fuglø, a prominent Faroese artist, and the acoustic landscape was composed by Sunleif Rasmussen.
The tunnel infrastructure has made it easier for visitors to move around the country, with the driving time from the capital city Tórshavn to the island of Eysturoy reduced from 60 minutes to 15 minutes. The tunnel has also made it easier for residents to live and work on the outer islands, such as Sandoy, where new businesses are opening and visitor numbers are increasing.
The success of the tunnels has been credited with boosting the local economy and improving the overall quality of life for Faroese residents. As Súsanna Sørensen, marketing manager of Visit Faroe Islands, notes, “Though we are 18 islands, we often joke that (because of the tunnels) we defy the fact that we are islands.”
