Reykholt: Snorri Sturluson and the Icelandic Sagas

Reykholt focuses on Snorri Sturluson and the medieval Icelandic sagas. It also features the historic hot spring Snorralaug, an old and a new church, and a cultural program. You can plan your trip around a historical focus or a specific event date.

Snorri Sturluson and the medieval sagas

Snorrastofa is a cultural and medieval center dedicated to the memory of Snorri Sturluson and located on his historic farm in Reykholt. The exhibition “Snorri's Saga” traces his life from 1179 to 1241, as well as his world and era, through text and images. Alongside the dates of his life, it also focuses on the period and historical context.

Snorrastofa offers historical exhibitions and guided visits. The availability of guided visits may depend on the program or an arrangement. If a guided visit is a key part of your trip, check the visitor arrangements in advance.

Snorralaug: hot spring and history

Snorralaug is a historic hot spring near Reykholtskirkja in Borgarfjörður. It is named after Snorri Sturluson and associated with the medieval Icelandic sagas. Water is supplied through a closed pipe from the hot spring Skrifla. Partially preserved, stone-lined underground passages remain at the spring. They probably led to Snorri’s farm and served as an escape route in his time.

The two sites offer different ways to explore Snorri’s story: Snorrastofa covers his life and era through text and images; Snorralaug connects his name with the saga tradition and the passages that probably led to his farm. At Snorralaug, the water supply from Skrifla and the historical interpretation of the passages also highlight different aspects of the site.

Churches, acoustics and music

The new church in Reykholt is known for its acoustics. Music performances take place in Reykholt Church; their dates vary. The old church offers a different historical connection: it was built between 1885 and 1887, served as the parish church until 1996, and is now part of the Icelandic National Museum’s building museum. While the new church is known for its acoustics, the old church’s construction dates and former use shape its history.

Events and trip planning

The Reykholt Festival takes place annually in Reykholt, though program dates may vary. Its annual return does not indicate a specific fixed date: check the dates for the relevant program if you want the festival to determine your travel period. Music performance dates also vary, so plan around the specific event.

If Snorri Sturluson and saga history are your main focus, you can center your visit on Snorrastofa and Snorralaug. If you want to plan your trip around a performance or the festival, the dates of the respective events become the key planning factor.

Discover more destinations: Flatey, Thorlakshöfn, Skaftafell, Geysir

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