Glaumbaer and Viðimyri

The north of Iceland, in the region of Varmahlið and Sauðarkrokur, is home to two points of interest that you should not miss if you are in the area.

The Glaumbær farm is located halfway between the two towns along Road 75, while Viðimyri is near Sauðarkrokur.

The two sites are only about ten kilometers apart, and are basically the two tourist hotspots in the Sauðarkrokur region, conveniently located near Road number 1 on the stretch from Akureyri to Reykjavík.

• Viđimýrarkirkja and the Viðimyri church
• The Glaumbær farm

Viđimýrarkirkja and the Viðimyri church

This church is a perfect example of traditional Icelandic architecture. This charming little structure covered in peat and grass was built in 1834 on the remains of other churches. In fact the Viðimyri Church is made up of many recovered parts, for example the altar dates back to the 17th century, and in front the cemetery door is dated 1936, while the two enormous bells date back to the year 1630.

For a few crowns, you can visit the interior of the tiny church.

Inside, the timber walls are lined with unvarnished panels. The altarpiece dates from 1616 and depicts the Last Supper, while the 17th-century pulpit is decorated with figures of Christ and the Evangelists. The pews still follow the post-Reformation layout: men sit on the south side and women on the north, with a gallery reserved for women of the nobility. The church has belonged to the National Museum of Iceland since 1936, but it is still used as a Lutheran parish church.

Opening times:

• From June 1st to August 31st: 12PM - 5PM, every day except Monday (closed)
• From September 1st to May 31st: closed

2021 prices:

• Adult: 1,100 ISK
• Child: free
• Student: 800 ISK
• Senior: 800 ISK

This church has a historic and cultural significance, as according to the Icelandic sagas it belonged to one of the most important dynasties in the north of the country, the Asbirningar.

The Glaumbaer Museum

A few kilometers further south, along Route 75, is the Glaumbaer farm which became a museum, the Skagafjörður Folk Museum. 

This farm, recognizable by its peat and grass roofs, was inhabited until 1947 when it became the property of the National Museum of Iceland.

The farm buildings date back to different periods throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, but they share a common grass construction, which was common in rural Iceland until around 1900.

The farm is made up of 16 small rooms, each with a different function (guest bedroom, kitchen, dairy...) and these magnificent buildings can be visited for a modest fee.

Opening times:

• May 20th to September 20th: 10AM - 6PM
• September 21st to October 20th: weekdays only (Monday to Friday), 10AM - 4PM
• October 21st to March 31st: upon request
• April 1st to May 19th: weekdays only (Monday to Friday), 10AM - 4PM

2021 prices:

• Adult: ISK 2,200 (ISK 2,400 in 2027)
• Child: free
• Student: 1,900 ISK (2,000 ISK in 2027)
• Senior: 1,900 ISK (2,000 ISK in 2027)

The visit takes about thirty minutes and builds on an extensive collection of artifacts to showcase rural life in local history.

Behind the farm on the same site as the museum you will also find 2 small houses, “Gilsstofa” and “Áshús”. Gilsstofa is the museum office and gift shop, while Áshús is home to the museum's café, which also features the museum's temporary exhibitions (the “Áskaffi” café, which used to be located there, moved to Héðinsminni in 2021).

The picturesque Glaumbaer Ecomuseum offers a very interesting visit that sheds light on just how tough life in Iceland was at that time.