Laufas Turf Houses

Like all turf houses, Laufás has been rebuilt many times over the centuries, in many different styles; the makeshift structure of these buildings... more

by Eva Lechner

Title

Laufas Turf Houses

Artist

Eva Lechner

Medium

Photograph

Description

Like all turf houses, Laufás has been rebuilt many times over the centuries, in many different styles; the makeshift structure of these buildings means that they quickly succumb to the elements. The houses on-site today were built between 1866 and 1870 by the reverend Björn Halldórsson, although parts date back to 1840.

Laufás was designed to house up to thirty people; turf farms would often be quite crowded, with the household, their staff, dependents of the state, seasonal workers and often vagrants and travellers (inhospitality was considered extremely taboo in Iceland’s history). To accommodate this number, it has several houses adjoined together, with a few more buildings dotted around them.

Laufás is considered a notable feat of Icelandic architecture because the structure has many gables lined next to each other, a traditional custom of the time almost lost to history.

Laufás was bought by the National Museum of Iceland in the 20th Century and they are now responsible for its preservation. As with most of turf houses that have been restored, it now functions as a museum of its own. Furnished with items from around the year 1900, it is a perfect example of how Icelanders lived before the industrial revolution took hold here.

There is also a beautiful church that can be entered on site. Built in 1869, its home to quite a significant Icelandic artefact; the pulpit dates back to the 17th Century.

Uploaded

July 2nd, 2022