Photo by Ingibjörg Friðriksdóttir
Drive from hotel
15min
Accessability
Easy
Season
All
Keldur is an ancient farmstead located north of the villages of Hella and Hvolsvöllur. In fact, this ancient dwelling is mentioned in several Icelandic sagas dating back to the 13th century. The current turf hosues were rebuilt around 1900, but there have been turf houses in this location for centuries. Visitors are able to enter the houses during the summer months to get a better understanding of how Icelanders once lived. Beside these dwellings, you can see a quaint country church and a beautiful brook fed by an underground spring. To the north you will see the active volcano called Hekla. As you walk beside these buildings you can imagine the days of the sagas – from daring adventures to dangerous conflicts and stories of revenge. Keldur farmstead is located nearby Hotel Rangá.
FAQ about Keldur, Iceland's oldest house
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Keldur is an ancient farmstead where Icelanders have lived for centuries – the site is even mentioned in several sagas. Keldur is home to one of Iceland’s best preserved turf dwellings. There is also a quaint country church and beautiful views of the volcano Hekla.
It is thought that the oldest structure at Keldur – a small tunnel from one turf house to the nearby brook – could date back to the 11th-13th century. What’s more, the farm is mentioned in Njál’s Saga which was written in the 13th century.
Keldur Farm is located in south Iceland, slightly north of the towns of Hella and Hvolsvöllur.
Distances to Keldur, Iceland's oldest house
On our social media channels we frequently post tips, tricks & fun facts about Iceland with the hashtag #knowIceland.
It takes approximately 15 minutes to drive from Hotel Rangá to Keldur Farm.
It takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes to drive from Reykjavík to Keldur Farm.
