Grenjaðarstaður - The Old Turf House

The historic settlement of Grenjaðarstaður in Aðaldalur is one of Iceland’s largest turf houses, situated 30 km south of Husavik. In its heyday Grenjaðarstaður was a prosperous vicarage and the oldest part of the existing turf house was built in 1865 and inhabited until 1949. The house is unique, primarily insulated with lava rocks, which are abundant in the surrounding area, and the interior is panelled with driftwood.

Grenjaðarstaður has been a folk museum since 1958, and through the approximately 2000 objects and artefacts on display, guests will gain an understanding of what the living conditions were like in turf houses in past centuries as well the vicarages progress through time.

There is also a functional Lutheran church built in 1865 at Grenjaðarstaður. In the cemetery, visitors can see a runestone dating back to the Middle Ages. The old, renovated barn houses the museum´s reception, restrooms, cafe and locally made handicrafts can be purchased.

The turf house at Grenjaðarstaður belongs to The National Museum of Iceland but is run by the District Cultural Center.

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In its heyday Grenjaðarstaður was a prosperous vicarage. Visitors will gain an understanding of how arduous it was to survive in those days. Among homemade ice skates and the traditional handcarved bowls called askur, hand painted wallpaper and gilded cornices can also be seen. The house has both a traditional hearth kitchen made from rocks and a wood-paneled kitchen that houses a Danish coal stove.

There is also a church at Grenjaðarstaður, built in 1865 and is still in use. In the cemetery, visitors can see a rune stone that dates back to the Middle Ages. The old barn has been renovated which today houses the reception, restrooms and dining facilities.

The turf house at Grenjaðarstaður belongs to the National Museum’s Historic Building Collection but it is run by the District Cultural Center and is open for visitors during summer 1 June - 15 August.

 Photos: Grenjaðarstaður

Grenjaðarstaður