Aflraunasteinar

Background

History & Background

The Aflraunasteinar date back to the period when Djúpalónssandur and nearby Dritvík were major fishing centers from the 16th to 19th centuries. The stones were used as a practical strength test to determine whether individuals were capable of working as rowers on fishing boats. This tradition highlights the demanding physical nature of Iceland’s early fishing industry and remains an important cultural element preserved at the site today.

Aflraunasteinar are a set of historic lifting stones located on the black pebble beach of Djúpalónssandur on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. These stones are closely connected to Iceland’s fishing heritage and were traditionally used to test the strength of fishermen before they were allowed to join a boat crew. There are four stones, each with a name and specific weight that determined a person’s strength category. The heaviest, Fullsterkur (“fully strong”), weighs around 154 kg, followed by Hálfsterkur (100 kg), Hálfdrættingur (54 kg), and the lightest, Amlóði (23 kg). To qualify as a rower, a fisherman typically needed to lift at least Hálfdrættingur, demonstrating the physical strength required for rowing and working in harsh sea conditions. The stones originate from a time when nearby Dritvík and Djúpalónssandur were among the most important fishing stations in Iceland, especially between the 16th and 19th centuries. Life in these communities depended heavily on physical endurance, and the lifting stones served as a practical and immediate test of capability. Today, the Aflraunasteinar remain in their original location, allowing visitors to engage directly with this tradition. Surrounded by dramatic lava formations and the wild Atlantic coastline, the site offers both a cultural and physical experience. Visitors can attempt to lift the stones themselves, gaining a deeper appreciation for the strength and resilience required of Iceland’s early fishermen.