Þjóðveldisbærinn Commonwealth Farm
About Þjóðveldisbærinn Commonwealth Farm
Þjóðveldisbærinn is a full-size reconstruction of a chieftain's farm from Iceland's Commonwealth era, with turf walls, stone footings and carved timber gables. Walk through the Commonwealth Farm and you get a clear sense of how a wealthy household lived around the year 1100.
The model is Stöng, a real farm about 7 kilometers up Þjórsárdalur that was buried under tephra when Hekla erupted in 1104. Builders followed the excavated ruins as closely as possible, under the direction of medieval architecture expert Hörður Ágústsson. Work began in 1974 for the 1100th anniversary of Iceland's settlement and finished in 1977.
Beside the farm stands a small church, modeled on early Icelandic churches including one excavated at Stöng. It was consecrated in 2000 to mark 1,000 years of Christianity in Iceland.
The Saga Age farm is open daily from May 1 to October 15, 10:00 to 17:30. Admission is 2,500 ISK for adults and 500 ISK for children aged 6 to 12, and under-6s get in free. Plan on 30 to 45 minutes.
You'll find it off Route 32 in Þjórsárdalur, near the Búrfell hydropower station and a few minutes from Hjálparfoss. From Reykjavík the drive takes about 1 hour 45 minutes. To see the original, continue on the gravel Road 327 to the Stöng ruins, a short walk from the Gjáin valley.
Good to know
What is Þjóðveldisbærinn?
Þjóðveldisbærinn, the Commonwealth Farm, is a reconstruction of a chieftain's turf farmhouse from around 1100 in Þjórsárdalur, South Iceland. It's based on the excavated farm at Stöng.
When is the Commonwealth Farm open?
It's open every day from May 1 to October 15, from 10:00 to 17:30. It is closed the rest of the year.
How much does it cost to visit Þjóðveldisbærinn?
Adults pay 2,500 ISK and children aged 6 to 12 pay 500 ISK. Children under 6 get in free.
What is the difference between Stöng and Þjóðveldisbærinn?
Stöng is the original farm site, now ruins, about 7 kilometers up the valley. Þjóðveldisbærinn is the reconstruction of it, built from 1974 to 1977 near Route 32.
Why was the Stöng farm abandoned?
An eruption of Hekla in 1104 buried the farm under volcanic tephra. The ruins were later excavated and used as the model for the reconstruction.
Trip planning — free, no commitment
Put Þjóðveldisbærinn Commonwealth Farm on your route
Tell us your dates, pace and can’t-miss list — a local planner builds the route, stays and tours around it, and stays a text away while you travel.