Photo by Ása Steinarsdóttir
Drive from hotel
1 hour
Accessability
Easy
Season
Summer
Stöng was an ancient saga-age Viking farm located in the Þjórsárdalur Valley. The original settlement was buried until volcanic debris and ash after the eruption of Mount Hekla in 1104. However, fragments of the ruins still exist and can be seen today.
In 1939, archaeologists excavated the farm and found remnants of Viking long-houses as well as other artifacts. The stone foundations of one of these ancient long-houses were left visible to the public and covered by a red roof for protection from the elements. Visitors can access these stone foundations which date back to the saga-age.
In 1974, on the 1100th anniversary of the settlement of Iceland, architect Hörður Ágústsson and a team of historians used the findings of the previous archaeological team and constructed a replica of Stöng at Skeljastaðir called Þjóðveldisbærinn Commonwealth Settlement Farm, a few kilometers down the valley. Visitors can visit the replica at Þjóðveldisbærinn to get a better sense about how a Viking long-house looked and functioned.
Beside the Commonwealth Settlement Farm at Þjóðveldisbærinn, visitors will notice a small church made of wood and turf. This is a replica of a similar structure for prayer and worship that was uncovered at Stöng.
FAQ about Stöng, Commonwealth Settlement Farm
On our social media channels we frequently post tips, tricks & fun facts about Iceland with the hashtag #knowIceland.
The ruins of Stöng are found in the Þjórsárdalur Valley. However, it must be noted that they are only accessible via a rough gravel road. Þjóðveldisbærinn Commonwealth Settlement Farm is a replica of the old farmhouse at Stöng. It is located about 7 km (4 miles) from the ancient ruins at Stöng. Þjóðveldisbærinn Commonwealth Farm is much more accessible and just off road 32.
The valley of Þjórsárdalur was settled by Vikings in medieval times. It is known that the Viking Gaukur Trandilsson lived at Stöng in the 10th century. The farm is believed to have been buried under volcanic ash after Mount Hekla erupted in 1104.
Distances from Stöng, Commonwealth Settlement Farm
It takes approximately 1 hour to drive from Hotel Rangá to Þjóðveldisbærinn Commonwealth Farm – the replica of Stöng Farm Settlement. If you wish to visit the original Stöng Farm Settlement, you will need to access the site in a 4×4 vehicle. Stöng is located on gravel road 327 off road 32.
It takes approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes to drive from Reykjavík to Þjóðveldisbærinn Commonwealth Farm – the replica of Stöng Farm Settlement.
