Laufás Turf House

The Laufás Turf House, located by the Eyjafjörður fjord in North Iceland, is an impressive example of a 19th-century manorial farm and vicarage. While the site has been occupied by churches and dwellings since the original settlement of Iceland, the current structure was extensively rebuilt and expanded in 1866. The property is characterized by its multiple white-painted gables and the massive use of turf and sod for the walls and roofs, reflecting the status of wealthier agricultural estates of that time. Inside, the house is furnished with period furniture and household items that demonstrate how a large number of people, often up to 30 individuals, lived and worked together in a tightly knit community. Particularly noteworthy is the adjacent church, built in 1865, which emphasizes the long-standing religious significance of the location. Today, Laufás serves as a branch of the National Museum of Iceland and stands as a vital record of the social hierarchy and architectural techniques of pre-industrial Iceland. Visitors can explore the various rooms, from the communal sleeping quarters (baðstofa) to the kitchens, gaining a sense of the historical daily routine.

Nearby cities

Akureyri

Akureyri is the largest urban area outside the Reykjavík region, often called the 'Capital of the North'.

Húsavík

Húsavík is a town on the shores of Skjálfandi bay in North Iceland.

Ísafjörður

The largest town in the Westfjords, known for its dramatic mountain setting and fishing heritage.

Ísafjörður

Ísafjörður is the economic and cultural hub of the Westfjords region.

Sauðárkrókur

Sauðárkrókur is the largest town in Northwest Iceland, located on the Skagafjörður fjord.

Sauðárkrókur

The largest town in Northwest Iceland, located in Skagafjörður, known for its horses and fishing industry.

Borgarnes

Borgarnes is located on a peninsula in Borgarfjörður and serves as a key service hub for West Iceland.

Höfn

Höfn is a fishing town in southeast Iceland, situated on a headland between Hornafjörður and the ocean.

Dalvík

Dalvík is a picturesque fishing town on the Eyjafjörður fjord in North Iceland.

Stykkishólmur

Stykkishólmur is a charming town on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, known for its well-preserved old houses and views over the island-dotted B…

Siglufjörður

Siglufjörður is a historic town in North Iceland, once known as the 'Herring Capital of the World'.

Siglufjörður

Iceland's northernmost town, once the world capital of herring fishing, nestled between majestic mountains.

Blönduós

Blönduós is located in northwest Iceland at the mouth of the Blanda river.

Vopnafjörður

Vopnafjörður is a small settlement in northeast Iceland, situated on a deep bay.

Seyðisfjörður

Seyðisfjörður is an artistic town in the East Fjords of Iceland.

History & landmarks

Goðafoss

The 'Waterfall of the Gods' is a historic gem in North Iceland with a striking horseshoe shape.

Goðafoss

Goðafoss, the 'Waterfall of the Gods', is a horseshoe-shaped waterfall in northern Iceland.

Nature

Hrisey Island Bird Reserve

Hrisey in Eyjafjordur is known for its high density of rock ptarmigans.

More places

Laufás

Laufás is a historic turf farm and vicarage representing the lifestyle of a wealthy 19th-century Icelandic farm.

Gásir

Gásir was the main medieval trading post in Northern Iceland.

Möðruvellir

Möðruvellir was a significant monastery in the Middle Ages and later a major educational center.

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Dalsminni Settlement Remains

Archaeological remains of a medieval farmstead.

Dalvík Port

Dalvík is a significant port for deep-sea fishing in the north.

Akureyri Port

Akureyri Port is an important hub for fishing and tourism in the north.

Akureyrarkirkja

Akureyrarkirkja is a prominent Lutheran church and the symbol of Akureyri.

Akureyri Botanical Garden

One of the world's northernmost botanical gardens hosts almost all Icelandic plant species and thousands of foreign plants from cold regi…