Iceland - The Turf House Tradition

"Austur-Meðalholt, Árnessýsla,Árbær, Reykjavík Bustarfell, Norður Múlasýsla Galtastaðir fremri, Suður Múlasýsla Glaumbær, Skagafjarðarsýsla Grenjaðarstaður, Suður Þingeyjasýsla Grænavatn, Suður Þingeyjasýsla Keldur, Rangárvallasýsla Laufás, Suður Þingeyjasýsla Núpsstaður, Vestur Skaftafellssýsla Tyrfingsstaðir, Skagafjarðarsýsla Þverá, Suður Þingeyjasýsla Víðimýrarkirkja, Skagafjarðarsýsla Hofskirkja, Austur Skaftafellssýsla

The vernacular architectural tradition in Iceland dates back to the settlement in the 9th century. It has since been adapted to the local climate, varying environmental resources and the requirements of the society that developed on the island. The Icelandic turf farmstead has developed from the long house; a Northern European tradition brought to the country by the Nordic settlers. As their name suggests, turf is one of the main materials used for its construction. Timber is used for the structure, turf is laid to form the thick walls and as a cover for the roof. Sometimes stones are used with or without the turf for the walls, and slates can be used as an underlay for the roof. Although the building materials used have not changed much, the form of the turf farm has changed and adapted to a changing context through the ages...."

Source: UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List

Laufas - historic farmstead, church and personage. Thanks to Steffi of Germany.