Hov is a village of around 100 people on the east coast of Suðuroy, the southernmost island of the Faroe Islands. It sits between Porkeri and Øravík, connected to the latter by a road tunnel since 2007. Small as it is, Hov has a surprisingly deep history.
In the Viking age, Hov was an important seat of power. Chieftain Hovgrímur ruled over roughly half the Faroe Islands from here. He was killed in a fight on the island of Stóra Dímun, battling Brestir Sigmundsson — both men died. Hovgrímur's grave can be seen on the hillside above the village: two piles of rocks with no tombstone. Tradition says the chieftain lies under one pile and his horse under the other.
West of the village, the valley of Ergidalur has a name believed to be of Celtic origin, suggesting Irish settlers were here before the Vikings arrived.
On the mountainside north of Hov, the columnar basalt formations at Hovsegg are worth a stop — curious geological pillars with a fine view over the village and the southern part of the island. Down in the harbour, a small museum and cafe occupy what used to be the local shop. Outside, flat stones where fish were once laid out to dry remain as a reminder of the village's fishing past.