Drying Shack in Vatnsfjörður
The drying Shack is one of the largest and best houses of its kind in the country. It was built around 1880, and used as storage for fishing gear and for dried fish.
Vatnsfjörður in Westfjords is an ancient and historically significant manor. It served as a chieftain's residence until the 16th century when it became a rectory. Among the notable clerics who lived there was Hjalti Þorsteinsson (1665-1745), a versatile artist, though best known for his prowess in spear-throwing and painting. Many of his works are preserved at the National Museum of Iceland.
In the Westfjords, there are extensive areas of excellent massive stones which were widely used for making the stone walls of turf houses.
The side walls are built with stones and unusually tall, while the gables are made of timber, with rafters below and shingles above. Turf covers the roof and the upper parts of the side walls.
The shack was listed as a heritage site in the spring of 1976. Restoration work was carried out the same year, and since then, it has been under the care of the National Museum of Iceland.Guests are welcome at their own responsibility. Please take care of the house and surroundings when visiting.