Laufás in Eyjafjörður
The turf farm at Laufás serves as a prime example of a prosperous priest's residence from the latter half of the 19th century. With a history dating back to the Middle Ages, Laufás has been a continuous presence in the region. While most interior items are sourced from neighbouring farms, some originate from Laufás itself.
Please visit The Akureyri Museum for more information about visiting hours and admission fees.
Laufás stands as an ancient manor farm, with records of a church dating back to 1047 AD. The present church, built in 1865, was one of the most impressive of its time, featuring a pulpit adorned with wood carvings from 1698. The grand turf farmhouse, constructed in the latter part of the 19th century, represents a typical gable-end design tailored for a priest with a large household. The carved eider drake on one of the gables refers to the property's eider nesting area which once brought considerable income to its owners.
Guðmundur L. Hafsteinsson’s building description can be found here:
Laufás Church was built in 1865 by Tryggvi Gunnarsson and Jóhann Bessason. It is influenced by classical architecture, particularly the Church of Our Lady in Copenhagen (consecrated in 1829), and, like the farm, it stands as a testament to the ambition of the local caretakers of its time. The church is furnished with many fine artifacts, including a pulpit from 1698 crafted by Illugi Jónsson. The farm has been in the preservation of the National Museum since 1948. The museum has regularly undertaken extensive renovations on it.