page_title: Sigmundur Brestisson
hierarchical_section_title: Sigmundur Brestisson
caption_attribution_description: English: This memorial is called "Sigmundur Brestisson - Hin seinasta ferðin", which means "Sigmundur Brestisson - The last journey". The memorial was made by the Faroese sculptor Hans Pauli Olsen in 2006. It is located in Sandvík in Suðuroy, Faroe Islands, close to Sigmundsgjógv. It is said, that the Viking Chief Sigmundur Brestisson, who was the one who brought Christianity to the Faroe Islands in the year 999, fled from his enemies by swimming from Skúvoy to this place in northern Suðuroy, which now is called Sigmundsgjógv (The Gorge of Sigmundur), named after him. Unfortunately Brestisson was killed just after swimming the long way by a local farmer who was called Tórgrímur Illi (Torgrimur the Mean). Tórgrímur then stole Brestisson's golden arm ring. The island Lítla Dímun, which is the smallest of the 18 islands of the Faroes is visible in the back ground. Føroyskt: Hans Pauli Olsen gjørdi hesa standmyndina í 2006. Hon var reist til minnis um Sigmund Brestisson, sum kristnaði Føroyar í 999. Føroyinga Saga sigur, at Sigmundur flýddi undan Trónda í Gøtu og hansara monnum av oynni Skúvoy og svam allan tann langa teinin til Sandvíkar í Suðuroynni. Staðið har hann kom upp er beint við hesa standmyndina og nevnist Sigmundsgjógv.
context_page_description: Sigmundur Brestisson was a Faroese viking chieftain, and was responsible for introducing Christianity to the Faroe Islands in 999. He is one of the main characters of the Færeyinga saga.
  According to the Færeyinga saga, emigrants who left Norway to escape the tyranny of Harald I of Norway, settled in the islands about the beginning of the 9th century. Early in the 11th century, Sigmundur, whose family had flourished in the southern islands but had been almost exterminated by invaders from the north, was sent back to the Faroe Islands, whence he had escaped, to take possession of the islands for Olaf Tryggvason, king of Norway.
  Sigmundur was the first Faroe-man to convert to the Christian faith, bringing Christianity to the Faroes at the decree of Olaf Tryggvason. Initially Sigmundur sought to convert the islanders by reading the decree to the Alting in Tórshavn, but was nearly killed by the resulting angry mob. He then changed his tactics, went with armed men to the residence of the chieftain Tróndur í Gøtu and broke in his house by night. He offered him the choice between accepting Christianity or face beheading; he chose the former.
context_section_description: Sigmundur Brestisson (961–1005) was a Faroese viking chieftain, and was responsible for introducing Christianity to the Faroe Islands in 999. He is one of the main characters of the Færeyinga saga.
  According to the Færeyinga saga, emigrants who left Norway to escape the tyranny of Harald I of Norway, settled in the islands about the beginning of the 9th century. Early in the 11th century, Sigmundur, whose family had flourished in the southern islands but had been almost exterminated by invaders from the north, was sent back to the Faroe Islands, whence he had escaped, to take possession of the islands for Olaf Tryggvason, king of Norway.
  Sigmundur was the first Faroe-man to convert to the Christian faith, bringing Christianity to the Faroes at the decree of Olaf Tryggvason. Initially Sigmundur sought to convert the islanders by reading the decree to the Alting in Tórshavn, but was nearly killed by the resulting angry mob. He then changed his tactics, went with armed men to the residence of the chieftain Tróndur í Gøtu and broke in his house by night. He offered him the choice between accepting Christianity or face beheading; he chose the former.
  Later, in 1005, Tróndur í Gøtu attacked Sigmund by night at his yard in Skúvoy, whereupon Sigmundur fled by swimming to Sandvík on Suðuroy. He reached land in Sigmundargjógv in Sandvík, but a farmer in the village killed the exhausted Sigmundur, and stole his precious golden arm ring.
  According to tradition, his gravestone is located in the so-called Sigmundarsteinur in Skúvoy. It bears a carved cross and was part of the old church.
caption: Monument in Sandvík, made by sculptor Hans Pauli Olsen in 2006 in memory of Sigmundur Brestisson.
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