Laufás, Heritage church site in Grýtubakkahreppur, Iceland
Laufás is a farm complex with a wooden church built in 1865 and a large turf house containing many connected rooms and long corridors. The structure shows how residents and animals lived together under one roof.
The site was continuously occupied by priests from 1047 until 1936, marking one of Iceland's longest ecclesiastical histories. The final minister then moved to a new residence, ending that long period.
The bridal room shows how Icelandic wedding customs were practiced in family life. You can see the space where brides and their families prepared together before the ceremony.
The site sits about 30 kilometers from Akureyri and is easy to reach by car. Summer visits work best from June through September, while winter access requires prior arrangements.
The wooden church holds a carved pulpit from 1698 that displays early craftsmanship from that era. The baptismal font was deliberately positioned to catch daylight through windows, making it glow during ceremonies.
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