Hofskirkja stands as the last turf church built in Iceland, and one of only a handful left. There’s no staff on site, no visitor center, and no signage beyond a basic marker near the entrance. Most people stop long enough for a walk around and a few photos before heading back to the main road. The church sits alone in the landscape, with the mountains behind and the fields stretching out in front. Even on a cloudy day, the turf roof and quiet grounds make the place feel rooted – part of the countryside rather than separate from it.
Most people spot Hofskirkja from the Ring Road – a low building with a thick turf roof, set against open fields just outside the village of Hof. There’s a gravel pull-off for cars, and from there, a simple path leads up to the church. The structure is small, built in the late 1800s using the old Icelandic style: timber frame, thick turf piled high for insulation, and a roof that blends straight into the hillside behind it.
A cemetery stretches along the back, marked by traditional Icelandic gravestones. The grounds stay open, with no fences or gates to navigate. Most visitors walk the perimeter first, taking in the way the church settles into the landscape – half-hidden, almost a part of the earth itself. The interior isn’t always open, but when it is, plain wooden pews and a simple altar remain in place, all original to the late 19th century. The church still holds the occasional service, though most days it’s quiet except for the sound of wind across the grass.
Guided tours sometimes stop here, especially in summer, covering turf construction and the history behind these buildings. Even without a guide, the physical details stand out: thick walls, low doorways, and a roof that supports its own layer of living moss. The cemetery is still in use, and the headstones trace a local story going back generations.
📍 Hofskirkja
