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 and is 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~
So true! I wonder if the people were happier too. Iceland has one of the lowest rates of per capita violence in the world.
In the American West, those choosing to settle on the Great Plains, many of their first homes (and most of the time, their forever home) were sod homes. That’s how the term, “sodbuster”, came about. Similarly, there wasn’t much wood on the prairies. Furniture that wasn’t being used would be repurposed for structural uses like a door or window door (substitute for a glass window), or firewood of last resort. We do have it easier with modern home construction versus a turf or sod home. 🙂
Yes! Amazing you should know about this. This history was seriously influential in my childhood, and still moves me profoundly to this day. The similarity is remarkable. Check out:
https://cindyknoke.com/2012/10/08/covered-wagon-women-diaries-and-letters-from-the-western-trails-1840-1849-by-kenneth-l-holmes/comment-page-2/
In the pioneer days, the women couldn’t afford to be shrinking violets. More often, they were more educated than their husbands. They were the ones who could read and write, and taught their children where there was no school. The men, a lot of manual labor, which ended up being their leading cause of death. For women, it was child birth. They were hardy stock back then. While popular media (TV, movies, dime novels) shaped our notion and perception of those days, the oral histories and personal writings are where one gets true sense of what life on the frontier was like.
Exactly. The oral histories of the women pioneers tell the real story. They were adventurers and scientific observers. They were amazing.
Not what I expected on the inside – quite nice. It seems very practical. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for taking the time to comment and hope all is well with you~
This looks so fascinating! Adds up one more reason to the list of ‘Why visit Iceland!”. Do you have any idea if these places are open to tourist accommodation or something? 🙂
The historic, old, turf houses that are left standing, are either kept open as museums that you can tour, private property, are are not habitable. I would recommend googling a list of them and visiting them as a day tourist.
Oh alright! Thanks for the info. Will definitely check this out 🙂
Be sure to post when you go. I would love to hear about your experiences!
I would definitely do that ❤
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Really enjoy the tour, Cindy. The underground pass is amazing. 🙂
Glad you enjoyed Amy & cheers my friend ❤
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lasse es dir gut gehen, was auch immer das Wochenende bringt.
Vielen dank mein lieber Freund und frohe Wochenende ❤ ❤
Reblogged this on Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life and commented:
I am catching up on posts that I missed while I was away and nothing gives me more pleasure than discovering the images captured by my favourite photographers. One of which is Cindy Knoke who travels the world with her camera. Iceland has an inhospitable landscape and climate for much of the year, but as Cindy demonstrates, there is a warm welcome underground. #recommended
Thank you for your wonderful thoughtfulness Sally. Bloggers like you make the experience so rewarding. Cheers to you and Welcome Home!
Thank you Cindy… nothing quite like your own bed! hugs♥
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Amazing and interesting virtual tour as always !! Thanks for taking me there. Bye, Kamila
You make the trip more fun! Cheers to you Kamila~
What an extraordinary style of living, from so many angles— architecture , structure, society, style… thanks for the tour. I am thinking what it would be like to have lived this way in that era.
I agree with you and find all aspects of this culture, history, way of life, and architecture, truly fascinating.
Interesting post😘
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So amazing Cindy! Cool that they’ve been preserved and available or people to explore them. Thanks for taking us along… You are an intrepid traveler Cindy!! I’m wondering how many countries you’ve been to?! hugs!
Only God knows. I have definitely lost count. Hugs to you sweet friend ❤
I’d love to visit there!
I hope you go! Just make sure the volcano doesn’t erupt while you do. It looks like it wants too.
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Makes so much sense to be underground in extreme temperatures, hot or cold. Lovely photos.
Thanks much. They had such an isolated, unique and impressive culture.
Thank you for sharing these amazing pictures of life and life style not common anywhere these days!
Glad you enjoyed and yes I wasn’t really expecting to encounter such a unique and remarkable culture here that has thrived in isolation for so very long.
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Fascinating story about the houses. Thanks for taking us there 🙂
Thank you for traveling with me & cheers to you!
Very interesting!
You are a remarkably kind person.
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I don’t think I could ever live up there but I find those house so charming… to not mention the landscape😍
It is remarkable isn’t it!
yes, it’s a fairy place😊
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Cindy, how do you get to visit all these amazing places? You’re a wonderful photographer!
Awww, you are just a really nice person. Thank you & cheers too!
So wonderful that you got to go to visit beautiful Iceland! It is on my list I would love to go! Beatiful photos! ❤
I hope you go and I look forward to hearing your impressions!
Thank you! Yes one day I will 🙂
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Too good
Very pleased you enjoyed & happy Friday~
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Thank you & cheers to you!