Selið in Skaftafell
Selið is a small turf farm of southern Icelandic style, built by Þorsteinn Guðmundsson, a farmer, in 1912 and serves as a fine example of the farms as they were in Öræfasveit up until the third decade of the 20th century.
The farm features a loft with a cowshed underneath, where the heat from the cows in the shed below was utilized in the loft. Connected buildings include a living room and an outbuilding. Close to the farm are barns built with an ancient construction.
Until well into the last century, Öræfasveit was one of the most isolated settlements in the country. Agricultural practices continued in a traditional manner, with each generation following in the footsteps of the last. Rocks were widely used for roofing over long and barren stretches, and people utilized driftwood from the shores for construction.
The last inhabitants of Selið moved out of the farm in 1946, and it was subsequently abandoned. Selið has been under the custody of the National Museum of Iceland since 1972, and the farm has been reconstructed as part of its conservation efforts. Guests are welcome at their own responsibility. Please take care of the house and surroundings when visiting.