Grafarkirkja

Grafarkirkja at Grof a Hofdastrond is generally counted the oldest church building surviving in Iceland, its timber work dating to the second half of the seventeenth century and carved by Gudmundur Gudmundsson, a craftsman known for work of this kind in the north. It was closed as a church by royal letter in 1765 and long used as a storehouse; the National Museum took it into its care in 1939 and restored it around 1950, replacing the rotten timber with boards cut to match the old ones, and it was reconsecrated in 1953. It stands small and dark inside a circular turf wall with the carved panels and door as the main thing to look at. It is opened by arrangement rather than kept staffed.

What you'll find

• The oldest church building in Iceland - seventeenth century timber work.
• Carving by Gudmundur Gudmundsson - the panels and door.
• Closed in 1765 - a storehouse for generations, restored around 1950 and reconsecrated in 1953.
• A circular turf wall - the enclosure around it.

When to go

June to August, and by arrangement for the interior. An hour.

What to expect

The building is usually locked and seeing inside means arranging it in advance locally. It is tiny. The track in is gravel. There is nothing else at the site.

Nearby

Hofsos and its swimming pool are south; Saudarkrokur is beyond.

Key facts