Laufas is an old turf house in Northern Iceland. There are many of these partially underground historical sod houses in Iceland. The house was built between 1866-1870. The houses are very large and multi-level, with one floor completely underground. In this photo you can see the sod brick construction which has withstood the test of time and Iceland’s formidable winters.
Laufas house facades are made of wood which is quite scarce in Iceland.
There are underground passages,
and underground rooms.
These houses are snug,
but quite spacious,
and not at all claustrophobic inside.
20-30 people lived in Laufas House.
The houses give one a sense of communal underground living,
that was heat efficient during Iceland’s unforgiving winters.
Laufas House was a wealthy priest’s house, and some rooms are more polished and finished than others.
This was a working farm, on a gorgeous site, with a church that was originally built in 1698.
Cheers to you from Iceland’s fascinating turf houses~
superschön, liebe Cindy, mache was Schönes aus diesem Tag.
Du bist so ein guter Freund.
Entspannung ist heute angesagt zur Vorbereitung auf die nächste Woche.
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Beautiful, fascinating and naturally practical.
Yes, people are at their best when they are natural and practical.
Turf houses are fascinating. I wish we built our houses with more cognizance of what structures are best suited to our environment.
Yes. My house is built of everything artificial. Can you image cutting the sod, lacing it in a diamond pattern, and having it survive and still shelter, in Iceland almost 200 years later!
Truly amazing!
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Beautiful I love this
I am so glad you do. Thank you.
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The inside of the house looks quite nice. With that kind of material for outside of the house, I suspect it keeps the inside temperature relatively constant.
Exactly, and notice the thickness of the walls. Hundreds of years ago Icelanders knew how to survive their almost unsurvivable winters.
Beautiful! It looks cozy.
Thank you and yes, that is the right word, cozy, which I think might be needed in Iceland in the winter.
Very interesting – thanks for sharing this!
Thank you and glad you enjoyed!
It is hard to imagine how many different interesting places and things in the World. Very impressive post.
Thank you. When I think of cultural diversity, I didn’t think of Iceland. It is good to live and learn.
Oh, Cindy! This is utterly fascinating. Thank you for letting us see this through your eyes and your lens. ❤ I enjoyed this tremendously.
Makes me happy to know you enjoyed my friend ❤
You do make it very difficult to choose a favorite, but this has to be high on the list. I do love those windows into another culture… ❤
Iceland’s culture has evolved with both geographical isolation and isolation by climate. I wasn’t expecting how completely unique the culture is. It is wonderful.
It was so wonderful for you to share it with us. Thank you dear Cindy.
Hugs to you Lea ❤
Et toi aussi mon amie! ❤
Truly fascinating, thank you Cindy. I have seen photos of turf houses, but nothing this elaborate, and have never seen the inside. Much enjoyed this enlightening visit.
I so appreciate your appreciation ❤
I’ve always wondered what it would be like to live in an earth or covered home. I know they’re a great insulator from the weather, but not sure I could handle living in one. Thanks for the tour Cindy!
I hear you. In Iceland’s past, I suspect survival mitigated choice.
Yup, they’re actually cozy temperature wise. I’ve been in similar homes built into sides of hills. Getting enough light and air is my thing.
I do love light and air too, but in Iceland, in the winter, before electricity, I would want to be in one of these houses.
What a wonderful tour guide you are with your photographs. I’m going to Iceland next month.
Oh my, enjoy!
What a lush green on the last two pictures!
Iceland is really a green land!
It seems so 🙂
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Cindy, this was truly fascinating — and the photos are impeccable. Thanks for taking us on this journey with you. Hugs!
Hugs and gratitude back to you my friend ❤
I am absolutely fascinated with Iceland. My friend just returned from a vacation there with his family. This post was fabulous and educational. ❤ Amazing, Cindy, as always!
So happy you enjoyed Nancy and I share your fascination ❤
They are really beautiful – and your photos show them well, inside and outside. Many years since we visited, so thank you for taking me again! I had forgotten much…
Thank you. Iceland is such a different and incredible place.
It is – any season.
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Reallyreally interesting! But not claustraphobic? ( on the other hand, survival in such a place no doubt outweighs personal feelings) Thank you! Loved this.
I don’t know why it didn’t feel claustrophobic, but it didn’t. It was like a village underground. Icelanders tell me they feel complete peace when they visit these houses and I definitely felt this too.
Great pics! 🙂
That sod and brick construction is really something! 🙂
It is done in this amazingly artistic herringbone pattern in this house because the owner was wealthy and could afford the artistry.
Walls as thick as castles, but probably less drafty. Lower 60’s inside?
These structures are not drafty at all and they are built below the frost line. They are snug tight and comfortable inside, mid-60’s seems right in summer. In winter with fire, I imagine they were quite comfortable. The design is so efficient. Iceland is the land of earthquakes, volcanoes and avalanches, and yet these amazing homes survive.
Reblogged this on charles french words reading and writing and commented:
These are beautiful photographs of extraordinary homes in Iceland by Cindy Knoke.
I am so struck by the intelligent design of these underground homes. It kinda puts our modern houses to shame doesn’t it. Thank you Charles for showcasing them & cheers to you~
Wow, that’s amazing! So clever and warm and happy. I really enjoyed the tour.
Very pleased you enjoyed & happy Sunday!
I love the houses! I’ve often thought about putting a house under ground on a hillside.They have designed them very well!
They are architectural marvels, heat efficient and able to withstand the test of time in the land of fire and ice.
your so lucky to be able to travel around the globe seeing all these beautiful places & wonderful creatures!
And you are lucky to live in a photographers paradise with bears for buddies and bald eagles for neighbors. We have a mixture of lucky and unlucky things in our lives. I just ‘focus’ on the positive.
I think a little rain must fall into every life……I just choose to try & stay happy & dry!
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I would love to stay and experience life there! Wow!
I hope you do. It is a wonderful experience.
I bet! 👍😃
Interesting … and simple and efficient to meet the needs.
I like simple and efficient.
Reblogged this on Musings on Life & Experience and commented:
Some pictures from historical Iceland by Cindy Knoke.
Cheers & thank you Patricia & happy Sunday ❤
such cool spaces…seems magical 💫 I’m reminded of homes created in Alberta…The Ukrainian Dug-Out Home…thatched home…of vertical poles and coated with several layers of mud plaster on the interior and the exterior.
wonderful posts Cindy 🤓 smiles hedy ☺️
I will google them. They sound interesting.
Yours are much greener and quaint looking though Val
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Oops Cindy ugh writing on my phone with jet lag apologies on your name 🙄🤓💫☺️
Oh heavens, no worries. A rose by any other….besides I admire Val.
Not really too many… but there are some days I’d like to bury myself in that snug environment.
I’d prefer an isolated but adapted (with conveniences) island in a mild climate. 🙂
Safe travels!
I hear and understand. Cheers to you Jules ❤
🙂
Oh Cindy, the fascinating places you go, and thank you for taking us with you! ❤
Visa versa 2U X 2! I love virtually traveling with you 2!
As usual, I love your awesome photos. Thank you Cindy.
Wonderful to hear from you Ranu!
How fascinating, though I don’t think I’d like living underground and in such close quarters with so many other people!
I hear you! In Iceland back in the day, during winter, your only other choice would be go outside.
Eek, not a good option, ha!
Nope. You would have to create your own brightness…..But, actually, we all to do that now too ❤
A wonderful insight, Cindy! Thank you very much for bringing this great information to us. Have a good week ahead. Michael
You too Michael and thank you!
What strange and interesting kind of houses! I wonder how it would be to live in one of those…
Thank you for this fascinating article and the beautiful pictures. 🙂
Thank you more for such kind appreciation & cheers to you~
Fantastic images reflection the lifestyle and way of life. Love it.
Yes, I admire the lifestyle too. These are people who thrived and survived in a very hostile winter environment and they made the most of limited resources.
Fascinating houses, Cindy. Necessity is the mother of invention, and the homes are quite lovely.
Yes. I agree with you, and thanks~
Always a pleasure, Cindy.
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Oh my goodness. I think I’d go nuts from the lack of natural light!
I have no idea what it would be like to live all winter in such cold and semi-darkness. I think this is why they brought their light underground. You might like summer in Iceland where light seems ever present, but I kinda miss the dark, defining day and night. I have no idea why, or how, these people are so resilient and survived and prospered, but they did.
I like the contrast too. Light and dark. I’m a seasons kind of gal.
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This post is very informative. The homes are charming. But on the other hand, I felt squeezed just by looking at the indoor shots. I guess when it’s a matter of necessity, there is no room for such thing as claustrophobia. 🙂
Oh my gosh! Gives me goosebumps. No room for claustrophobia. That is it exactly, and it is a totally perfect oxymoron.
I think there is a part of this in all of us, a place where we could truly live off the land and experience time away from all the noise & activity of the ‘modern life.’ Wonderful introduction and photos, Cindy. A different view of Iceland than I have seen before.
I certainly agree with you. I moved to The Holler for just this reason. At first I was uneasy with the isolation. Now what we call “civilization” makes me uncomfortable. I am quite happy with critters for neighbors. Love hearing from you Randall & thank you.
Amazing place, Cindy! I’m glad I always have my lights with me, when it’s getting darker, I sure do need them in this house 😀 Pawkisses for a Happy Week ahead 🙂 ❤
Light is elemental to us isn’t it. Thanks for stopping by & happy week 2U2!
Fascinating, Cindy. I am amazed at how often you travel! It’s a great life, isn’t it?
It is. And I definitely focus on living it as fully as possible. ❤
You do, Cindy! That’s for sure. I admire that.
Beautiful and fascinating!
Very pleased you enjoyed & thanks!
I am very interested in Iceland. It fascinates me. Thank you for sharing this with us. Fabulous photos and observations. ❤
I share your fascination. Iceland is an amazingly different and beautiful place.
Such a lovely and magical place.
Yes. Thank you.
Some Icelanders believe in elves. I can see why.
Wonderful shots, Cindy. Did you run into Bilbo Baggins while you were there?
It is good I didn’t. If I did, I would be such an acolyte he would never get rid of me. Lucky for Bilbo ❤ ❤
Amazing. I love man made structures that blend with their natural surroundings. 🙂
I do too, and these and the Viking long houses are the architectural predecessors.
Amazing underground house. I was wondering how it would stay warm? 🙂
Much of it is under the frost line. It has thick and dense walls. Fires for cooking and heat would warm it up.
Amazing! 🙂
I wonder why no one lives in these anymore? They are cozy and I’m claustrophobic and wonder if I could live in there. It makes sense to live somewhat under the earth to stay warm and cool. Great photos of them. An acquaintance just came back from a trip there and fell on the cobblestones the first day injuring her eye and her husband had a kidney stone episode while there. They became very familiar with the hospital system there and were quite impressed. 😉 I like your version of Iceland better. 🙂
Icelanders reveal themselves when you talk to them. They are kind and hardy people, who have historically lived in circumstances that would kill most all of us. It gives them such an interesting perspective. Icelanders seem to visit the turf houses, like touchstones, to clarify who they are, and to feel a sort of peace. But you know, the lure of civilization has moved us all. TTowns have electricity, hospitals, restaurants. Few can resist this ❤
They are truly amazing my sister! Always love what you share! God bless!
It is such a joy to hear from you. God Bless you Wendell ❤
Cool! Very interesting and beautiful pictures! Thanks! Always heartwarming to be here 😊
Wow, that’s amazing! I don’t know how I feel about living underground, but I would prefer to stay warm, too, so it works.