Iceland's ancient grass-roofed dwellings
Preserving Iceland's Turf Heritage: A Look at Remarkable Museums
In the early 20th century, half of Iceland's population resided in turf houses, a unique building material born out of the country's scarcity of trees. By 1960, only 234 inhabited turf homes remained, with most deserted in the following decade. Today, several well-preserved turf houses have been transformed into museums, offering a captivating glimpse into Iceland's rural history and architectural heritage.
One such museum is the Glaumbaer Museum in Varmahlid. Established in 1958, it features a historic turf farm with 13 interconnected buildings dating mostly from the 18th and 19th centuries. The museum showcases Icelandic rural life, with two timber houses from the 19th century and various exhibitions.
Another noteworthy museum is Laufás Heritage Site and Museum, located near Akureyri. Originally built in 1865, these turf houses have been preserved as a historic site, showcasing traditional Icelandic turf architecture and lifestyle from the 1800s.
The Arbaer Open Air Museum in Reykjavik is another must-visit. This museum has relocated and preserved over 20 buildings, including traditional turf houses, recreating an old town and farm atmosphere with buildings from different social backgrounds and eras.
These sites are among the best-preserved examples of turf houses converted into museums. They provide valuable insights into Iceland’s architectural heritage and rural history.
As Reykjavik grew, there was little room for the traditional turf houses. However, some well-preserved turf houses around Iceland continue to stand. The turf farm Nupsstaður, located in West Skaftafellssysla, is a notable example. Although it's a reconstruction made for the film Paradisarheimt, it offers a unique look into Iceland's recent past.
Interestingly, one of the only remaining turf churches in Iceland is located at Nupsstaður. Thick turf walls were useful in warding off the cold, making these churches a practical solution in the harsh Icelandic climate.
It's worth noting that most of Iceland's remaining turf houses belong to Þjóðminjasafn Íslands, the National Museum of Iceland. These turf houses, including those at Glaumbaer, Laufás, and Arbaer, are part of the National Museum's Historic Buildings Collection at Árbæjarsafn in Reykjavik.
In Bakkagerði, Borgarfjörður Eystri, we find the association with Kjartan Þorbjörnsson and Helgi Bjarnason, who are linked with the Bakkagerði and Hofskirkja church, respectively. While not a turf house museum, Hofskirkja church, located in Öræfi, is an essential part of Iceland's cultural landscape and a testament to the country's rich history.
Despite their maintenance requirements, these well-preserved turf houses serve as a vital connection to Iceland's past, offering visitors a chance to explore and appreciate the country's unique architectural heritage and rural history.
The Glaumbaer Museum in Varmahlid, besides its historical turf farm and exhibitions on Icelandic rural life, also includes exhibits on home-and-garden practices of the past. The Laufás Heritage Site and Museum, near Akureyri, provides a lifestyle perspective of the 1800s, showcasing traditional home-and-garden arrangements within its preserved turf houses.
