Historic Icelandic Turf Structures Preserved
Exploring Iceland's Charming Turf Houses 🇮🇸
Step into the enchanting realm of Iceland, and you'll encounter quaint, picturesque turf houses that evoke a sense of nostalgia and wonder. Despite the island's barren landscape, building with turf was a popular practice due to its insulating properties against the frigid climate. These homes, though requiring regular upkeep, were once a common sight in Iceland.
Believe it or not, these distinctive dwellings are not relics of a distant past. In 1910, over half of Iceland's population resided in these turf homes! As Reykjavik expanded (leaving little space for these quaint abodes), the number of residents dwindled, and by 1960, only 234 inhabited turf homes remained.
Many of these now-rare turf houses are under the care of Þjóðminjasafn Íslands – the National Museum of Iceland, constituting a significant part of the National Museum's Historic Buildings Collection at Árbæjarsafn in Reykjavik.
Surprisingly, there are still several well-preserved turf houses dotting Iceland, many of which have been repurposed into museums. Granting visitors an intimate peek into Iceland's recent past.
One such reconstruction, crafted for the film "Paradisarheimt," serves as a set and is located nowhere near the homeland of these houses [2].
Núpsstaður, the easternmost farm in West Skaftafellssýsla, is home to one of the only remaining turf churches in Iceland [4].
Bakkagerði in Borgarfjörður Eystri features another well-preserved turf settlement [6].
The striking Hofskirkja church in Öræfi showcases the enduring allure of these enchanting structures [7].
For a more in-depth experience, consider visiting Laufás Turf House Museum in Eyjafjörður. This open-air museum features several turf homes and a 19th-century wooden church. Functioning from May 15th to October 1st, the museum requires ticketing at a nearby white house [1][5].
Glaumbær Turf Farm, located elsewhere in the region, boasts a collection of 13 interconnected buildings dating back centuries and inhabited until 1947. Today, it serves as a heritage museum, providing a fascinating glimpse into traditional Icelandic turf house architecture [3].
These cultural landmarks offer a unique insight into Iceland's rich history and serve as a testament to the resourcefulness of its people.
[1] Iceland Magazine: Laufás Turf Farm and Moss Bungalow Museum. (2023). Retrieved April 23, 2023, from https://icelandmagazine.is/travel/travel-+adventure/laufas-turf-farm-and-moss-bungalow-museum/
[2] Paradisarheimt. (2023). Retrieved April 23, 2023, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paradisarheimt
[3] Iceland Travel: Glaumbaer Farm and Museum. (2023). Retrieved April 23, 2023, from https://icelandtravel.is/attraction/glaumbaer-farm-and-museum
[4] Iceland Review: Núpsstaður - Icelandic adventure starts here. (2023). Retrieved April 23, 2023, from https://icelandreview.com/sponsored/nupsstadur-icelandic-adventure-starts-here/
[5] The Reykjavik Grapevine: Turfverse. (2023). Retrieved April 23, 2023, from https://grapevine.is/Culture/Turfverse
[6] Iceland Travel: Bakkagerdi. (2023). Retrieved April 23, 2023, from https://icelandtravel.is/attraction/bakkagerdi/
[7] Iceland Travel: Hofskirkja. (2023). Retrieved April 23, 2023, from https://icelandtravel.is/attraction/hofskirkja/
The National Museum of Iceland, namely Þjóðminjasafn Íslands, preserves numerous turf houses, a significant part of their Historic Buildings Collection at Árbæjarsafn in Reykjavik.
By visiting places like Laufás Turf House Museum in Eyjafjörður or Glaumbær Turf Farm, you can gain a deeper understanding of Iceland's lifestyle and home-and-garden practices from the past, where over half of the population resided in turf houses as late as 1910.
Despite Reykjavik's expansion, there are still several well-preserved turf houses dotting Iceland, some even repurposed into museums.
These cultural landmarks, such as the striking Hofskirkja church in Öræfi and the individual turf homes in Núpsstaður and Bakkagerði, offer a unique insight into Iceland's rich history and serve as a testament to the resourcefulness of its people.
