The Official Tourist Guide - East Iceland

74
HISTORY & MUSEUMS
⌘ Geirstaðakirkja is a replica of a church made
of turf and stone from the Viking age (930-1262)
was built on the land of Litli-Bakki a few years ago
based on an archaeological excavation run by the
East Iceland Heritage Museum. The church is open
for visitors free of charge during summertime.
⌘ Valþjófsstaður in Fljótsdalur. Valþjófsstaður
has been a place of worship since the 14th
century. The original church built in 1306 was
dedicated to the Holy Virgin. The present church
was consecrated in 1966.
The inner main door is an exact replica of the
famous Valthjofsstadur Door, which is on display
in The National Museum. It dates back to the
13th century, originally a hall door of a manor that
later became the door to the stave church which
served until reformation in the 16th century. The
door consists of three boards. Two beautifully
carved, round planes decorate the door which
depict the friendship of a knight and a lion. These
carvings are considered to be among the purest
roman pieces of art of the Nordic countries. In the
19th century the door was sold to Copenhagen,
but returned, with other Icelandic pieces of art,
in 1930. Among other pieces of interest in the
church are the chalice and the baptismal font
dating back to the 18th century.
⌘ Skriðuklaustur is an ancient manor estate in
Fljótsdalur. From 1493-1552 a monastery operated
there. Since 2002 an extensive archeological
research has taken place on the cloister ruins
which are open to visitors. The writer Gunnar