Núpsstaður
Núpsstaður is the easternmost farm in
Skaftárhreppur,
located west of the impressive mountain
Lómagnúpur
in South Iceland.
The site is renowned for its exceptionally
well-preserved historic turf buildings,
representing traditional Icelandic farmsteads.
The most remarkable structure is the
chapel at Núpsstaður,
one of the very few remaining turf churches in Iceland.
It is believed to originate from a church
built around the year 1650.
Regular church services ceased in 1765.
The chapel was listed for protection in 1930,
making it the first protected building in Iceland.
It was reconsecrated in 1961 and is now preserved
by the National Museum of Iceland.
The surrounding landscape stretches from the black sands of
Skeiðarársandur
northward to
Vatnajökull.
Volcanic eruptions, glaciers, and glacial rivers
have shaped the terrain into a dramatic natural environment.
Rising east of the farm is Lómagnúpur,
famously mentioned in Njáls Saga.
Nearby attractions include
Orustuhóll,
Dverghamrar,
Kirkjugólf,
and the village of
Kirkjubæjarklaustur.
The land also contains the
Núpsstaður Woodlands,
a scenic birch scrub area on the slopes of Eystrafjall,
west of Skeiðarárjökull and south of Grænalón.
The area is popular for hiking and nature exploration.
All land at Núpsstaður is listed on Iceland’s
Natural Heritage Register.
The farm has been owned by the same family
continuously since 1730,
making it a rare example of uninterrupted settlement.
Photo:
Gunnlaugur Torfason
Núpsstaður er áhugaverður staður á Íslandi sem vert er að heimsækja.