Víðimýrarkirkja Turf Church
About Víðimýrarkirkja Turf Church
Víðimýrarkirkja is a small turf church at Víðimýri, just west of Varmahlíð in Skagafjörður, North Iceland. Built in 1834, it is one of the few turf churches left in the country and still stands in its old churchyard right off the Ring Road.
The church was built by Jón Samsonarson, a carpenter and member of parliament from Keldudal. Its thick side walls are built of turf blocks laid in a herringbone pattern, and the black timber gable with its green door faces the path from the gate. Since 1936 it has been part of the National Museum of Iceland's historic buildings collection, and the Skagafjörður Heritage Museum has run it since 2016.
A church has probably stood at Víðimýri since soon after Iceland adopted Christianity. The oldest surviving church inventory, from around 1318, records that it was dedicated to the Virgin Mary and Saint Peter. Some of the furnishings inside came from earlier churches on the site.
The seating inside follows the old post-Reformation custom. Men sat on the south side and women on the north, with the leading men of the parish in the chancel and the leading women in a raised gallery. The space is small, so 15 to 20 minutes is usually enough for a visit.
Víðimýrarkirkja is open from June 1 to August 31, daily from 12:00 to 17:00 except Mondays, and is closed the rest of the year. Admission is 1,100 ISK for adults and free for anyone 17 and under, and a combined ticket with Glaumbær costs 2,600 ISK. The church is about 5 minutes from Varmahlíð and about 1.5 hours from Akureyri by car.
Good to know
Where is Víðimýrarkirkja?
Víðimýrarkirkja is at Víðimýri in Skagafjörður, North Iceland, just west of Varmahlíð and next to the Ring Road. The drive from Varmahlíð takes about 5 minutes.
When was Víðimýrarkirkja built?
The turf church was built in 1834 by Jón Samsonarson, a carpenter and member of parliament. A church has stood on the site since soon after Iceland adopted Christianity.
When is Víðimýrarkirkja open?
The church is open from June 1 to August 31, daily from 12:00 to 17:00 except Mondays. It is closed to visitors from September through May.
How much does it cost to visit Víðimýrarkirkja?
Admission is 1,100 ISK for adults and 800 ISK for students, seniors and groups of six or more. Children 17 and under get in free.
Is there a combined ticket for Víðimýri and Glaumbær?
Yes, a combined ticket for Víðimýrarkirkja and Glaumbær costs 2,600 ISK for adults. It is sold at either site in summer and is valid for both on the same day.
Do you need a ticket to see the churchyard at Víðimýri?
Yes, during opening hours a ticket is required for the churchyard as well as the church. Tickets are sold inside the church.
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