Iceland’s iconic turf houses, once the backbone of the nation’s rural architecture, are disappearing at an alarming rate. According to Iceland’s Minister for the Environment, Energy and Climate, more than six in ten recorded turf houses examined in a recent study have either vanished completely or fallen into ruin.
The sobering figures were revealed in a parliamentary response by Minister Jóhann Páll Jóhannsson to a query from Centre Party deputy MP Heiðbrá Ólafsdóttir concerning Iceland’s turf-house heritage. The study, conducted by the Skagafjörður Heritage Museum, examined the fate of 37 turf houses recorded between 1989 and 2021. The findings showed that 62% had disappeared or become ruins, 5% were partially collapsed, and only 33% remained standing.
A Heritage Under Threat
Turf houses have been a defining feature of Icelandic architecture for over a thousand years, dating back to the settlement era. These remarkable structures, built using locally sourced turf and stone, provided exceptional insulation against Iceland’s harsh climate. Each house represented not just shelter but a deep connection to the land and traditional building knowledge passed down through generations.
Despite their cultural significance, preservation efforts have historically focused on major farmsteads and churches, while more ordinary homes and outbuildings have received far less attention. The National Museum of Iceland’s building collection includes only nine turf houses, five turf churches, and several other traditional structures — a small fraction of what once existed across the country.
Skagafjörður Survey Offers Hope
A comprehensive survey of surviving turf houses in Skagafjörður was completed in 2024, identifying 59 standing structures. The project was so well-executed that it later received a European heritage award, demonstrating that systematic documentation and preservation can make a meaningful difference.
However, because no nationwide register of turf houses exists, it remains unclear how many have collapsed in recent years. The Skagafjörður study may offer the best available insight into the national picture, and the results are concerning.
Preserving Traditional Knowledge
Minister Jóhann stressed the importance of preserving not just the physical structures but also the knowledge and skills associated with turf-house construction. As older generations pass on, the specialized techniques required to build and maintain these unique buildings risk being lost forever.
Responsibility for preserving turf houses rests primarily with regional heritage museums and the National Museum of Iceland. Without a coordinated national effort and proper funding, Iceland risks losing an irreplaceable part of its cultural identity.
For those interested in experiencing these architectural treasures firsthand, several heritage sites across Iceland offer visitors the chance to step inside restored turf houses and connect with centuries of Icelandic tradition.
Sources: Iceland Review, mbl.is, Skagafjörður Heritage Museum