Besides being the residence of the President of Iceland, Bessastaðir is also an important historical site that has played a prominent role in the history of the country. The property of Bessastaðir on Álftanes, near Reykjavík, has a history that runs from the Age of Settlement. In its present form, Bessastaðir consists of a group of buildings including Bessastaðastofa, a …
Keldur Medieval Turf Farm
Keldur is a historic settlement where Jón Loftsson (1124-1197), the chief of the Oddaverjar clan, lived during the last years of his life. There is a medieval-type turf farm at the site, the only large turf farm that has been preserved in South Iceland. There is an underground tunnel leading from the hall, thought to date from the 12th or 13th …
Oddi in Rangárvellir
Oddi in Rangárvellir is one of the main historical sites in Iceland, and there has been a church there since in the 11th century. The most famous of the Oddi clan was Sæmundur ‘the wise’ Sigfússon (1056-1133), who studied in Paris. Various legends have been created about Sæmundur. Then he was probably the first Icelandic historian that wrote a book …
Storytellers of Snæfellsnes
Sagnaseiður on Snæfellsnes peninsula is an association interested in the historical heritage and storytelling traditions in Snæfellsnes. The aim of the association is to collect, preserve and communicate the historical heritage of the area in various ways. Some members of the association have developed a unique service in the form of storytelling. They welcome visitors and offer a chat about …
Visit West Iceland
In West Iceland, there’s history at every footstep. Tour the Saga Trail in West Iceland and visit the sites of the Icelandic sagas and folk stories and notable historical events. Most of the Icelandic sagas were written in West Iceland, including Egil’s saga, Sturlunga saga, Laxdæla saga and Eyrbyggja saga, so “Sagaland” is an apt description for the region. In …
Árnessýsla Heritage Museum
History comes to life at Árnessýsla Heritage Museum’s diverse exhibitions in Eyrarbakki, Southwest Iceland. The Museum is made up of different historical houses which tell the story of Eyrarbakki’s inhabitants. Eyrarbakki is on the edge of the Golden Circle. Húsið, or “The House,” earned this simple title because when it was constructed in 1765, it towered above the surrounding huts …
Skálholt
Experience Skálholt’s 1000-year history. Skálholt is Iceland’s first episcopal established in 1056. Skálholt served as the country’s capital for 750 years. It was a centre of administrative power, higher education and culture. Around the year 1200, over 100 people lived in Skálholt, making it the country’s first population centre. In the cathedral basement is an exhibition on Skálholt’s history by …
Þingvellir National Park
Visit Þingvellir National Park for stunning nature, geological wonders, history and culture. Iceland’s parliament, Alþingi, was established there in 930 AD. Þingvellir became a national park in 1930 and was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004 for its cultural significance. The Þingvellir area is part of a fissure zone running through Iceland, situated on the Eurasian and …
The Settlement Center
The Settlement Center in Borgarnes takes visitors on a magical journey through Egil’s saga and the story of Iceland’s settlement; two interesting exhibitions. The Egil´s exhibition is dedicated to Egill Skallagrímsson, poet, warrior, and one of the Icelandic sagas’ most colorful characters in the 10th century. The exhibition takes visitors through the magical and mythical storyline of Egil’s saga. Scenes …
Eiríksstaðir
Warm yourself up by the long fire in the reconstructed longhouse in Eiríksstaðir and listen to a storyteller in Viking clothing tell about the inhabitants. The place can be called the „cradle of new worlds“ because it was here that Eirik The Red built a farm and started a family with his wife Þjóðhildur. Eirik was later the first Norseman to settle …
Kakalaskáli in Skagafjörður
Experience the Age of the Sturlungs through the history and art exhibition in Kakalaskáli in Skagafjörður. The so-called Age of the Sturlungs was a period of repeated armed struggles between the main ruling clans in Iceland who fought for power. Travel back to the civil war in 13th century Iceland and picture the ruling clans clashing at Haugsnes in North Iceland …
Snorrastofa í Reykholti
Snorrastofa er menningar og miðaldasetur í Reykholti, reist sagnaritaranum, fræðimanninum og höfðingjanum Snorra Sturlusyni (1179–1241) og verkum hans. Snorrastofa veitir ferðamönnum þjónustu og fræðslu í Gestastofu. Hún er á jarðhæð Reykholtskirkju – Snorrastofu, en þar er sýning um Snorra Sturluson, auk þess sem boðið er upp á styttri og lengri kynningar um miðaldir, Snorra og Reykholt. Þar er einnig rekin …