Keldur Turf Houses
Iceland's oldest standing turf farmhouse, from the age of the sagas
About This Experience
Keldur is a place that collapses the distance between modern Iceland and the saga age. The turf farmhouse here dates to the late 12th century, making it the oldest fully standing structure of its kind in Iceland. The buildings sit low in the landscape, their grass roofs blending into the surrounding meadow until you're almost on top of them.
The farm appears in Njáls Saga, one of the most celebrated of the Icelandic sagas, as the home of Ingjaldur Höskuldsson. Walking through the low doorways and into the dark interiors, you get a visceral sense of how people lived here — thick turf walls insulating against the cold, timber frames supporting the roof, and a tunnel underground that may have served as an escape route during the violent feuds described in the sagas.
The underground passage is the most striking feature — a stone-lined tunnel roughly 20 metres long, dating to the 12th or 13th century. Crawling through it, you can't help but imagine who used it last and what they were running from.
What to Expect
Keldur is managed by the National Museum of Iceland and open during summer months (typically June through August). A guide is usually present to explain the history and walk you through the buildings. The site includes the main farmhouse, several outbuildings, a church, and the underground passage.
The farm is set in peaceful countryside between Hella and Hvolsvöllur, about 19 km off Route 1 on Road 264 (gravel, passable by 2WD). There's a small parking area and no admission fee (or minimal charge).
The visit takes about an hour — longer if you engage with the guide, who typically has deep knowledge of the saga connections and building techniques.
Practical Tips
- Open summer only (June–August) — verify hours at thjodminjasafn.is
- Road 264 is gravel but passable by regular car
- Free or minimal admission; donations welcome
- The underground tunnel is the highlight — ask the guide about it if it's not on the standard tour
- Combine with Njáls Saga Centre in Hvolsvöllur (20 km) for full saga context
- The drive from Vik takes about 45 minutes west; from Reykjavik about 1.75 hours east
- Bring a torch for the underground passage
- The churchyard and surrounding meadows are worth a quiet wander
Photo Gallery
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