and collecting seabird eggs are also common. Grímsey is a popular tourist destination for visitors seeking an Arctic Circle experience. The island is served by regular ferry and aircraft passenger services from the mainland; there is a 3,400' north–south runway on the west side of the island. The island has acquired a reputation for being a bastion of chess-playing. On learning this, the American scholar and keen chess player Willard Fiske took an interest in Grímsey in the 1870s, sending supplies, supporting the economy and leaving money in his will, though he never visited the island. Infrastructure The island has a community center, a shop, a library, a public indoor swimming pool and a school from kindergarten to Grade 8. Beyond this age, students travel to Akureyri for further education. The church was formerly a parsonage, and is situated at a place marked as Miðgarður on most maps of the island; however, the single settlement is officially known as Sandvík. Grímsey has two small hotels and a campsite. Sights The most famous sight is the Monument to the Arctic Circle in the northern part of the island. Many visitors enjoy observing the rich birdlife on the island. The Protestant Church on Grímsey was built from driftwood in 1867 and renovated in 1956. The nave was 7.69 metres in length and 4.77 metres broad. The choir and the tower were added in 1932. The church was part of the Akureyri parish. There were four services per year. The church was completely destroyed in a fire, on the eve of September 22, 2021. Transport The island is served by Grímsey Airport. There are regular flights to Akureyri. A ferry connects the island three days a week with Dalvík on the mainland. See also List of extreme points of Iceland References Sources Places along the way...Grímsey, published by Bókaútgafan að Hofi Further reading Jack, Robert, Arctic Living: the Story of Grimsey, [with] foreword by Vilhjalmur Stefansson, Toronto, Ont.: Ryerson Press, 1955. External links Grímsey Information Populated places in the Arctic Populated places in Northeastern Region (Iceland) Akureyri Important Bird Areas of Iceland Islands of Iceland Seabird colonies