The Turf House Museum
Steep yourself in Iceland´s rural past by taking a wander in one of the country´s largest turf farm settlements, Grenjaðarstaður. A well-curated display, comprised of 1000 or so items, highlights include the porcelain teacup with protection for one´s moustache, an engagement ring made of human hair and some elaborately decorated baking moulds. Manned by a friendly local guide, there’s a place to eat a picnic, and if you ask nicely, you might get a free hot drink.
History
Home to the chieftains of the past, the settlement dates back to the mid 1800s. Having grown to include a church, rectory and post office, it is now the biggest existing collection of period buildings in Iceland.
The farm of Grenjaðarstaður dates back to Iceland's settlement over a thousand years ago. For a long time it was one of the area's chief farms and became the site of a church, parsonage and post office. With a floor area of about 775 m2, the picturesque turf house that currently exists was one of Iceland's lagest. Its oldest part is from 1865, and people continued to live in it until 1949. The house was opened in 1958 as a local heritage museum, displaying over a thousand donated items. To wander through and imagine how life once was will provide a unique experience for any age group.