Arctic Henge, or Heimskautsgerdid, stands on a hill above Raufarhofn in Northeast Iceland. It is a symbolic calendar linked to the seasons and the passage of time, and it is designed to work with sunlight through aligned gateways across the year. From the site, there are wide views over the surrounding landscape and the Arctic Ocean.

What the Arctic Henge is

Arctic Henge is a monument above the village of Raufarhofn, which is Northeast Iceland's northernmost village. The idea was developed by Erlingur Thoroddsen, and the monument was designed by the artist Haukur Halldorsson.

The project draws on ancient mythology through a modern artistic interpretation. Visit North Iceland describes construction as continuing rather than complete. For wider context on this part of the country, read the North Iceland guide.

The dwarves of Voluspa and the year circle

The monument is inspired by the dwarf names found in the Eddic poem Voluspa. Its year circle works as a kind of almanac, where each dwarf controls a short period of the year.

The names tied to summer in the source material include Bjartur, meaning bright, Blidur, meaning sweet, and Svasudur. That connection between named dwarves and seasons is part of how the calendar idea is expressed at the site.

How the structure works with the sun

Arctic Henge is designed to interact with the sun through the year. Its gates face the main directions, and the aligned gateways cast light and shadows as the sun moves.

The site also includes a hall of rays, a sanctuary between high columns with one seat. Particular visual effects occur during the midnight sun and during the long twilight hours of the north.

Getting to Raufarhofn

Raufarhofn is on the Melrakkasletta peninsula, on the northernmost part of the Arctic Coast Way. Arctic Henge is reached on road 874.

If you are tracing the wider route through this area, see the Arctic Coast Way guide.

Planning the light

Because the monument is built around sunlight, daylight conditions matter to what you see on site. Daylight and twilight hours for a given date can be checked with this daylight tool.

Comparing North Iceland tours

If you want to compare tour options in this region, you can browse North Iceland tours.