NAT

History and traditions

The Icelandic literature was created by the inhabitants of Iceland from the country’s settlement in the 9th century to the present. Read all about our literature heritage below, and read some Icelandic history – all the way from 874, when some Irish families and hermits immigrated long before the Norvegians started their settlement up until two volcanic eruptions in 2010.

See:
Facts and figures,
Geography and nature,
Practical Information.

Articles in History and traditions

Celebrate in Iceland

Visit the The Nine Wonders of Iceland We like to view Iceland as nine different... more

Farm Hvammur in Dalir

Farm Hvammur is a parsonage and a church site in Hvammur County of the Dalir... more

Travel information Iceland

Iceland is an island country at the confluence of the North Atlantic and Arctic... more

Popular bathing lagoons in Iceland

Popular bathing lagoons in Iceland  Back to nature!!! Blue Lagoon Sky lagoon... more

Iceland Saga

Iceland is most famous for its medieval sagas, written between the 12th and... more

History: Flight in Iceland

Schedule flight Since 1937 As an airline, Icelandair traces its roots back to... more

Yule Lads and their parents

The Icelandic Yuletide Lads and their parents According to common practices... more

Kalfagerdi farm

Kalfagerdi, a farm, home of the 18th century Kalfa­gerdi brothers, guilty of... more

Icelandic Immigrants

Leaving after Mt Askja eruption Icelandic emigrants... more

NATIONAL PARKS in ICELAND

NATIONAL PARK THINGVELLIR!!! Thingvellir-The Parliamentary Plains are the... more

Thingvellir – witchcraft and scorcery

Witchcraft and scorcery at Thingvellir The witch hunt in Europe started around... more

Murders and Execution

According to the Book of Settlements and the Sturlunga Saga, many murders,... more

MONESTARIES & CONVENTS CHURCHES AROUND ICELAND

MONESTARIES & CONVENTS CHURCHES AROUND ICELAND Vague ancient sources... more

GEIRSSTADIR CHURCH COUNTY HROARSTUNGA East Iceland

Archaeological excavations at farm Geirsstadir in county Hroarstunga in 1997... more

Sod farms and churches dating back to the 18th century.

Vague ancient sources mention hermits in Iceland before Christianity was... more

Sel Skaftafell

The Sel farm was named after the summer pastures of the farmers past in the... more

SKOGAR FOLK MUSEUM

The museum was opened in 1949 and its first permanent building was built in... more

BUSTARFELL

Bustarfell is a farm, situated at the foot of a synonymous mountain in the... more

WITCHCRAFT and SCORCERY in Westfjords and Strandir

The witch hunt in Europe started around the year 1480 and continued to the turn... more

Baer Hrutafjordur

The first settler at Farm Baer was a woman by the name Arndis The Wealthy... more

Gilsfjordur Ogres

Once there were three night ogres, who intended to cut the Westjords from the... more

Farm Breidabolstadur

Farm Breidabolstadur is a church site, a former parsonage, and the residence of... more

4 Miles – “The Dispute” 1948-56

The Cod Wars - The Extension to 4 Miles - The Disputes 1948-56 1948 April 5th... more

12 miles – “Cod War” 1958-61

Cod Wars - 12 Miles Fishing Limit - 1958-61 1957 April 12th A conference was... more

50 miles -“Cod War” 1972-73

Cod War - 50 Miles Fishing Limit - 1972-72 1972 February 15th the Parliament... more

200 miles – “Cod War” 1975-76

Cod War - 200 Miles Limit - 1975-76 1975 July 15th the Minister of Fisheries,... more

Geothermal Works

Those, who visit the northernmost capital of the world, notice immediately the... more

Selfoss Church

This church is in the Selfoss benefice in the Arnes deanery It was built in the... more

Hruni Church

This church belongs to the Hruni benefice in the Arnes deanery It was built of... more

Thingvellir Church

  According to documented sources, a church was built at Thingvellir... more

Ulfljotsvatn Church

The Ulfljotsvatn church belongs to the Mosfell benefice of the Arnes deanery It... more

Mosfell Church

The Mosfell Church belongs to the Mosfell benefice in the Arnes deanery The... more

Uthlid

During catholic times, Uthlid's churches were dedicated to Holy Mary, and were... more

Haukadalur Church

This church belongs to the Skalholt benefice of the Arnes deanery The Catholic... more

Hof Church Oraefi County

  Hof is a cluster of farms in the Oraefi County During... more

Hofn Church

The Lutheran church in the fishing village Hofn was built during the period... more

Papey Church

A wooden church, built in 1904 on the foundation of an older one Declared... more

Hof Church Alftafjordur

Hof is a farm and a former church site on the Alftafjordur Bay The Catholic... more

Heydalir

Heydalir is a church site and a parsonage in the Breiddalur Valley It was... more

Bakkagerdi Church

This church belongs to the Desjamyri benefice in the Muli deanery The church... more

Modrudalur Church

This church belongs to the Valthjofsstadur benefice in the Mula deanery It was... more

Geirsstadir Church

Archaeological excavations at farm Geirsstadir in county Hroarstunga in 1997... more

As Church – Fell County

As is a former parsonage and a church site in the Fell County in Eastern... more

Hof Church

This church belongs to the Hoskuldsstadir benefice in the Hunavatn deanery Hof... more

Thingeyra Church

This church belongs to the Thingeyrar benefice in the Hunavatn deanery The... more

Breidabolstadur

Farm Breidabolstadur is a church site and a parsonage in County... more

Audkula Church

This church belongs to the Bolstadarhlid benefice in the Hunavatn deanery... more

Vidimyri Church

The church at Vidimyri (Skagafjordur) is considered to be "The purest example... more

Holar Cathedral

The cathedral belongs to the Holar benefice in the Skagafjord deanery After the... more

Haugsnes

The long abandoned farm Haugsnes in Blonduhlid is a historical site on the... more

Grof Church Skagafjordur

This former manor is situated just south of the village Hofsos The prayer... more

Ljosavatn

Ljosavatn is a lake, farm and a church site in Pass Ljosavatnsskard near the... more

Husavik Church

The state architect, Rognvaldur Olafsson, designed the church It was built in... more

Grund Church

This church belongs to the Laugaland benefice of the Eyjafiord deanery Grund... more

Akureyri Church

The Akureyri church was designed by architect Gudjon Samuelsson and consecrated... more

Saurbaer Church in Eyjafjordur

This sod church belongs to the Laugaland benefice of the Eyjafiord deanery... more

Modruvellir Church

This church belongs to the Laugaland benefice of the Eyjafiord deanery It is... more

Kaupangur Church

This church belongs to the Laugarland benefice of the Eyjafiord deanery and is... more

Kaldrananes Church

This church belongs to the Holmavik benefice in the Hunavatn deanery on the... more

Holmavik Church

The Holmavik church belongs to the Holmavik benefice in the Hunavatn deanery... more

Arnes Churches

Those churches belong to the Arnes benefice in the Hunavatn deanery Arnes... more

Prestbakki Church, Strandir

This church belongs to the Prestbakki benefice in the Huna deanery This estate... more

Vatnsfjordur Church

This church belongs to the Vatnsfjordur benefice in the Isafiord... more

Unadsdalur Church

This church belongs to the Vatnsfiord benefice in the Isafiord deanery... more

Nupur Church

The ancient manor Nupur is situated on the northern shores of the Dyra Bay in... more

Holt Church

The Holt Church belongs to the Holt benefice in the Isafiord deanery Holt is an... more

Raudasandur Church

The area named Raudasandur derives its name from the reddish looking... more

Selardalur Church

This church belongs to the Bildudalur benefice in the Bardastrond deanery... more

Hrafnseyri Church

This church belongs to the Thingeyri benefice in the Isafiord deanery During... more

Breidavik Church

The Breidavik church belongs to the Patrek’s benefice in the Bardastrond... more

Hjardarholt Church

Hjardarholt is a farm and was a parsonage until the 20th century in the Laxa... more

Hvammur Church

Farm Hvammur is a parsonage and a church site in Hvammur County of the Dalir... more

Stykkisholmur Church

This church belongs to the Stykkisholmur benefice in the Snaefell- and Dalir... more

Flatey Church

This church belongs to the Reykholar benefice in the Bardastrond Deanery A... more

Bjarnarhofn Church

This church belongs to the Stykkisholmur benefice in the Snaefellsnes- and... more

Reykholt Church

A church was built in Reykholt in the early years of Christianity in... more

Hvanneyri Church

This church belongs to the Hvanneyri benefice in the Borgarfiord deanery During... more

Hallgrims Church

Hallgrimskirkja í Saurbae This church belongs to the Saurbaer benefice in the... more

Krysuvik Church

This church belongs to the Hafnarfiord benefice in the Kjalarnes deanery It was... more

Kalfatjorn

Kalfatjorn is a former farm, parsonage and church site in the Vatnsleysa County... more

Hvalsnes Church

This church was built with basaltic lava stones in 1886-87 and consecrated on... more

Bessastadir Church

This church belongs to the Gardar benefice in the Kjalarnes deanery The Book... more

Hallgrimskirkja Church

The church of Hallgrimur is the crown on Iceland's capital with its magnificent... more

Catholic Church

Christ the King Cathedral The church was consecrated 23 July, 1929 by Pope... more

Lutheran Cathedral

Domkirkjan - Reykjavik Lutheran Cathedral Around the turn of the 18th century... more

Icelandic Vikings

The word Viking is a collective designation of Nordic peoples, Danes, Swedes,... more

Code of Arms

The Icelandic coat of arms is a shield with a silvery cross in a sky-blue field... more

Holar Church

This church belongs to the Laugaland benefice of the Eyjafiord deanery Catholic... more

Icelandic Literature

The Icelandic Literature was created by the inhabitants of Iceland from the... more

Historical Highlights

874 < Some Irish families and hermits had moved here and settled, long... more

Ingjaldsholl Church

This former parsonage and estate, outside the boundaries of the NP, was the... more

Kalmanstjorn Farm

Kalmanstjorn is an abandoned farm, a former estate to the south of Lake... more

Witchcraft and Sorcery, Iceland

The witch hunt in Europe started around the year 1480 and continued to the turn... more

Outlaws – Thieves – Ghosts – Evil Spirits – Witchcraft Burnings

Mountainside Ghosts Shepherds have often noticed hauntings in mountain shacks... more

Ospakseyri Church Farm

The land around the farm and the spit of land Ospakseyri are within the... more

Ellidaar Power Plants

The first ideas concerning a hydroelectric power station in the Ellidaar Valley... more

Gonguskardsa Power Plant

River Gonguskardsa is a run off river, which spills into the Skaga Bay, just... more

Grimsa Power Plant

The National Electric Power Works (RARIK) were licensed by law to build a 2,000... more

Reykjavik Energy

The operation of the Reykjavik Electricity Authority began formally in 1921,... more

Skeidsfoss Power Plant

River Fljotaa has its sources in the northern mountains of the Ogres’... more

Smyrlabjargaa Power Plant

River Smyrlabjargaa runs through County Sudursveit It mostly collects run off... more

Raudamelur Ytri Church Farm

The houses of the farm are situated at the high edge of the lava field, where... more

Saurbaer Church

The parsonage Saurbaer is situated in the county Hvalfjordur Coast During... more

Skard Church Farm

Skard is a farm, a church site and was a large estate for centuries in the... more

Stadarfell Church

Stadarfell is an ancient estate and a church site of County Fellsstrond It is... more

Stadur Church

This church belongs the Prestbakki benefice in the Hunavatn deanery Stadur is a... more

Stadur Parsonage

The parsonage Stadur (or Stadarstadur) has been a church site for centuries... more

Stadur church Reykjanes

Stadur is a former parsonage and a church site a short distance to the west of... more

Utskalar Church

Utskalar was a church site and a parsonage and one of the greater mansions of... more

Valthjofsstadur Church

This ancient manor and parsonage from the 14 century is situated west of the... more

Bjarnarflag Power Plant

The idea of harnessing the geothermal energy of the Bjarnarflag Area was first... more

Munkatvera Church

Munkathvera is a farm, a church site and a former manor in the Laugaland... more

Braedratunga Church Farm

About Braedratunga Braedratunga is a manor and a church site on the tongue of... more

Skalholt Church

The ancient seat of the Icelandic bishops, Skalholt, was the centre of... more

Hoffell Church Farm

Hoffell is an estate in the Nesjar County According to the Book of... more

Nupstadur Church Farm

Nupstadur is the easternmost farm of the Fljot County, just to the west of the... more

Borgahofn farm cluster

About Borgarhofn Borgarhofn is a cluster of farms in County Sudursveit The... more

Kirkjubaerklaustur Chapel

Chapel belongs to the Kirkjubaejarklaustur benefice in the Skaftafell deanery... more

Landa Church

This church belongs to the Westman Islands’ benefice in the Kjalarnes deanery... more

Reynir Church

The Reyni’s Church belongs to the Vik benefice in the Skaftafell Deanery In... more

Skogar Museum Church

This church belongs to the Holt benefice in the Rangarvellir deanery Its... more

Oddi Church

This church belongs to the Oddi benefice in the Rangarvellir deanery Oddi... more

Floaaveitan – Historic Irrigation

“Floaaveitan” (irrigation) was built in the years 1918-1927 It covered... more

Laugardaela Church

Laugardæla church is 3 km from Selfoss It was built in the years... more

Hjalli Church Farm

Hjalli is a farm and a church site in the Olfus County Around the year 1000... more

Asolfsskali Church Farm

Asolfsskali is a farm and a church site at the foothills of Mts Eyjafjoll (The... more

Hlidarendi Farm

Hlidarendi is a farm and a church site in the Fljotshlid County Catholic... more

Gaulverjabaer South – Farm

Gaulverjabaer is a farm hamlet, church site and a former parsonage in the Floi... more

Strandar church

This church belongs to the Thorlakshofn benefice in the Arnes deanery It is the... more

Gilsbakki

Farm Gilsbakki is also a church site in County Hvitarsida, District... more

Borg in Myrar

About Borg in Mýrar The parsonage Borg is situated a short distance northeast... more

Laugarbrekka

About Laugarbrekka Laugarbrekka is an abandoned farm in the Breidavik County... more