Laufás turf house in Eyjafjörður is a must-visit while travelling in North Iceland. I love these old turf houses, they are so typical Icelandic in my opinion.
My grandmother was born in a turf house, so it is not so long ago that turf houses were inhabited here in Iceland. Times have changed, for sure.
Laufás Turf House in Eyjafjörður in North Iceland
On my travels around my country, I search for turf houses and have written a long travel blog about the turf houses I have visited over the past years: A List of the beautiful Icelandic Turf Houses, which I have visited on my travels in Iceland.
Laufás turf house now belongs to the National Museum of Iceland and is run by the Akureyri Museum. Laufás is bigger than the typical turf houses of ordinary people back in the days, though, as it was a manor and a wealthy vicarage.
Inside Laufás turf house
Up to 20-30 people were living here at Laufás, including domestics. The furnishings inside date from around 1900 and show how Icelanders lived at the time.
I had a look inside and was amazed at how many rooms and how much space there was inside Laufás turf house. We walked through several corridors with many rooms leading from them.
I think you should have a look inside. Tickets can be bought in the white house by the parking lot, which was the vicarage and is now a Visitor Centre.
Inside Laufás turf house
Laufás was a wealthy farm by Icelandic standards. The last minister lived at Laufás until 1936, when he moved into a newer vicarage.
Laufás is not mentioned in Landnáma - the Book of Settlements of Iceland, but it is mentioned in 2 of our Icelandic Sagas.
It was rebuilt in 1866-1870 when Rev. Björn Halldórsson resided at Laufás, but the oldest remaining part of the house dates back to 1840.
Laufás Turf House in Eyjafjörður
The first time I visited Laufás, a tourist stopped his car in the middle of the road above Laufás and ran out to take photos left and right.
What he didn't know was that if he had driven just a short distance ahead, there he would have found a car park and the entrance to Laufás.
I guess he was just so excited about seeing such old turf houses from the road :) I can relate, as I am always happy when I see turf houses ;)
Laufáskirkja church
There has been a church at Laufás since early Christianity in Iceland.
The present church at Laufás was built in 1865 and was dedicated to the Apostle Paul in Catholicism.
In the church, you will see a very decorative pulpit from 1698. And I love the christening font, it was all lit up in the sunlight when I visited the church, ever so lovely.
The baptismal font in Laufáskirkja church
The church was open, and I went inside to have a look around. Usually, Iceland's churches are closed due to vandalism :(
I visit every church I see on my travels in my country, as I am very interested in these little gems.
Laufás is open in the summer months from 10:00 to 17:00. This is my travel blog about Laufás, but I refer you to the webpage of Laufás for more information.
At Laufás turf house
Laufás is close to the village Grenivík on road 83, 30 km away from Akureyri.
This is my last travel blog in the Eyjafjörður series of travel blogs. It is by no means a complete guide to Eyjafjörður; it is only a few places I find interesting to visit in this longest fjord of North Iceland.
Eyjafjörður fjord up North - part I
Eyjafjörður fjord up North - part II
Eyjafjörður fjord up North - part III
Eyjafjörður fjord up North - part IV
Eyjafjörður fjord up North - part V
Eyjafjörður fjord up North - part VI
Eyjafjörður fjord up North - part VII
Eyjafjörður fjord up North - part VIII
Laufás is located at 65° 53,639'N, 18° 4,344'W
Have a lovely time in Eyjafjörður :)
