Dear readers,
Stracta Apartments Orustustaðir southeast Iceland offers 28 self-catering accommodations. The main local landmark is Orustuhóll (Battle Hill), that is known for its special form and mystic tales.
Orustustaðir farm and the local area does keep many story´s that we want to share with you.
The German trawler Friedrich Albert ran aground
On a bitterly cold January night in 1903, the German trawler Friedrich Albert met with disaster, running aground on the treacherous sands of Skeiðarársandur. The ship’s crew faced a daunting ordeal, forced to trek across the harsh landscape, traversing glacial rivers and battling blizzard conditions for approximately eleven days. Their journey was fraught with peril, and the cold was unrelenting.
Struggle for Survival
Eventually, the crew spotted a distant light in the wilderness, emanating from the farm Orustustaðir. With frostbitten hands and feet, and utterly exhausted, they reached the homestead, having travelled nearly 50 kilometres from the site of the wreck. The journey had claimed the lives of two crew members, while another had vanished amidst the icy expanse
Local Support and Medical Care
The farmers of Orustustaðir, despite having limited resources themselves, generously provided food and tended to the crew’s frozen limbs. Recognising the severity of their condition, they summoned medical assistance. The survivors were then transported to the medical centre at Breiðabólsstaður for further treatment and care. At that time, travel in the region was conducted entirely on horseback, as no bridges had yet been built across the rivers, making the rescue even more remarkable.
This episode stands as a testament to the extraordinary endurance and compassion of the local farmers and Icelandic doctors who participated in the rescue. Their efforts in the face of extreme conditions are remembered as a great achievement.
Documenting the Rescue
Magnús Einar Magnússon, who has spent most of his life working in filmmaking and photography, has dedicated many years to gathering information and documenting this incredible story of rescue and survival by the people of Skaftárhreppur.
The Fate of the Friedrich Albert and Ongoing Searches
The wreck of the Friedrich Albert was eventually discovered in 1983, during a search for the legendary gold ship Het Wapen van Amsterdam, which had run aground in 1667. To this day, the quest to locate the gold ship continues, with searches carried out across the vast sands of Skeiðarársandur.
For more information and details, we recommend the website www.eldsveitir.is and Einar Magnús Magnússon – ICE-SAR – Rescue 2026
Warm wishes,
Stracta Apartments team