Turf-churches
20.01.2021
Lestrar 89
Photo: María Tryggvadóttir
In Akureyri and the surrounding municipalities by the fjord Eyjafjörður there are about 30 different churches. The one on the photo is Saurbæjar church, which is one of few remaining turf-churches in Iceland, built in 1858 and the only turf-church in the area. It is located about 30 minutes drive south of Akureyri.
Today only five turf churches remain standing in Iceland, more or less in their original form. The Saurbær Church in Eyjafjörður is the largest.
Iceland's turf-building tradition is under consideration for the UNESCO World Heritage List.