Helgøya (Troms)

Helgøya

Helgøya Location of Island in Troms
Geography
Location	Troms, Norway
Coordinates	70°07′43″N 19°25′34″E / 70.1287°N 19.4260°E / 70.1287; 19.4260Coordinates: 70°07′43″N 19°25′34″E / 70.1287°N 19.4260°E / 70.1287; 19.4260
Area	42.92 km2 (16.57 sq mi)
Length	10 km (6 mi)
Width	5.5 km (3.42 mi)
Highest elevation	486 m (1,594 ft)
Highest point	Storheia
Administration
County	Troms
Municipality	Karlsøy
Demographics
Population	0 (1999)
Pop. density	0 /km2 (0 /sq mi)

Helgøya is an island and former fishing village in the municipality in Karlsøy in Troms county, Norway. It is surrounded by a number of islands: Vannøya to the northeast; Karlsøya and Reinøya to the southeast; Ringvassøya to the south; and Nordkvaløya to the west.

Historically, the island was an active hub for the parish and municipality of Helgøy. It was a large fishing village and the home of the historic Helgøy Church. The church has been located on Helgøya since the 13th century, but has not been regularly used for some time. No one has permanently lived on Helgøya since 1999 when the post office was closed and regular ferry service was ended. The island can only be reached when services are celebrated in the church and ferry rides are organized. The island of Helgøya is now a more or less abandoned village of picturesque wooden houses with a historic church that is used on special occasions. The houses are sometimes still used, but only as vacation homes.

The island is named Helgøya (Old Norse: Helgøy) since it is the location of the main church for the parish, Helgøy Church. The name means den hellige øy or "the holy island" since the first element helgi means "sanctuary" or "holy" and the second part øy is identical for the word "island".