Þjóðveldisbærinn Stöng, Medieval heritage site in Þjórsárdalur Valley, Iceland
Þjóðveldisbærinn Stöng is a reconstructed medieval Icelandic farm with a main dwelling and outbuildings based on archaeological discoveries in the valley. The structures feature stone walls, wooden frames, and thick turf layers that served as insulation.
The site opened in 1977 to commemorate 1,100 years of Icelandic settlement, based on a farm preserved under volcanic ash from centuries ago. The discovery of the ruins helped researchers understand how people lived during Iceland's earliest centuries.
The place reveals how medieval Icelanders used local materials and adapted their homes to survive harsh winters, with families and livestock sharing interior spaces. Walking through the rooms shows how people organized daily life in these compact structures.
The site is reached by walking through Þjórsárdalur Valley and is best visited during summer when trails are clear and staff are present to explain the buildings. Bring sturdy walking shoes and weather-appropriate clothing for the exposed landscape.
A wooden stave church built in 2000 stands next to the main dwelling, showing how religious and residential structures coexisted in medieval Icelandic communities. This pairing gives visitors a more complete picture of settlement life.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
