Homesteads constructed with natural turf, a traditional architectural style evident in Iceland's past.
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Get a peek at Iceland's enchanting past with a visit to its well-preserved turf houses, transformed into intriguing museums! Despite the scarcity of trees, these buildings were a popular choice in Iceland for their ability to guard against the biting cold. Back in 1910, half the nation called these turf homes their abode!
As Reykjavik expanded, leaving little space for these dwellings, the population dwindled. By 1960, there were merely 234 occupied turf houses remaining, with many succumbing to abandonment in the following decade.
Many of these remaining turf homes now belong to the National Museum of Iceland, a part of its Historic Buildings Collection housed at Árbæjarsafn in Reykjavik.
However, don't fret—there are still some well-maintained turf houses scattered across Iceland. These museums offer a captivating journey into Iceland's modern history.
Interestingly, the turf farm you see in pictures might just be a film set creation, as in the case of Paradisarheimt.
Núpsstaður in West Skaftafellssýsla boasts one of Iceland's few remaining turf churches.
Bakkagerði in Borgarfjörður Eystri houses a marvelous collection of turf homes, offering a taste of the region's historical lifestyle.
Last but not least, Hofskirkja church in Öræfi—a stunning example of turf architecture!
While there are several other notable turf house museums such as Laufás and Glaumbær, each offering insights into Iceland's rural past, these structures form an essential part of Iceland's unique architectural heritage and cultural legacy. They not only serve as historical landmarks but also draw tourists, thereby contributing to their preservation.
- The National Museum of Iceland in Reykjavik preserves half of Iceland's 1910 turf houses, displaying them as captivating museums that provide a glimpse into the nation's lifestyle and home-and-garden culture of the past.
- Núpsstaður in West Skaftafellssýsla and Bakkagerði in Borgarfjörður Eystri offer visitors a chance to explore well-maintained turf houses, showcasing the region's historical lifestyle and contributing to the preservation of this unique architectural heritage and cultural legacy.
- Hofskirkja church in Öræfi, with its intriguing turf architecture, stands as a remarkable testament to Iceland's enchanting past and its well-preserved turf houses that were once home to half the nation.
- Visitors can gain insights into Iceland's rural past by visiting turf house museums such as Laufás and Glaumbær, as their structures form essential parts of the nation's architectural heritage, offering enchanting peeks at the country's enchanting past.
