Discover South Iceland
Glaciers – Geysirs – Volcanoes – Mountains – Waterfalls

Towns : Kirkjubæjarklaustur

Kirkjubæjarklaustur in Síða was known in olden times as "Kirkjubær" (Church Farm) and was an important farming estate. It is one of the most tongue-twisting words to pronounce of any location (or word period - for that matter) in Iceland - and the amount of different pronunciations that it has been attempted to be spoken is countless (many very funny actually).

Kirkjubæjarklaustur has developed into a village, the only centre of population in the district, with about 150 inhabitants. Kirkjubæjarklaustur, often abbreviated to "Klaustur", is centrally located in the district. Roads radiate from Kirkjubæjarklaustur in many different directions: the Ring Road (No. 1) runs through the district. The Laki road, just west of Kirkjubæjarklaustur, leads into the highlands. The circular Landbrot / Meðalland road serves the southern part of the district. The Fjallabak roads (north and south) lead from the Ring Road into the interior via Skaftártunga. The Álftaver road is a circular route serving Álftaver on Mýrdalssandur.

Kirkjubæjarklaustur has a long and interesting history. Irish hermits, "Papar", are believed to have lived at Kirkjubær before the Norse settlement of Iceland. Tradition says that it has always been inhabited by Christians, and that pagans were unwelcome. The 9th-century settler Ketill the Foolish made his home at Kirkjubær. After Ketill's time, Hildir Eysteinsson from Meðalland, a pagan, attempted to move to Kirkjubær. When he set foot on the estate, he fell down dead, and was buried in Hildishaugur (Hildir's Mound), a rocky hillock just east of Kirkjubæjarklaustur. In 1186, a Benedictine convent was founded at Kirkjubær. The convent was active until disbanded at the reformation in 1550. Many local place names and folk tales reflect the presence of the nuns and ecclesiastical history down the centuries.

Systrastapi (Sister's Rock) is a steep-sided rocky hill west of Kirkjubæjarklaustur. Folklore says that two nuns were buried up on the rock after being burned at the stake for breaking their vows; one is supposed to have sold herself to the Devil, carried consecrated Communion bread by the door of the privy, and had carnal knowledge of men. The other spoke blasphemously of the Pope. After Reformation, the second nun was regarded as innocent, beautiful flowers grew on her grave, while the guilty nun's grave remained barren.

Systravatn (Sister's Lake) is located above Kirkjubæjarklaustur, at the edge of the rocky belt. The nuns of the convent often went there to bathe. One day, two of them saw a hand emerge from the lake, wearing a fine golden ring. They seized hold of the hand, and were dragged down into the depths. From Systravatn, Systrafoss (Sister's Falls) cascades down into the Fossárgil gully.

Kirkjubæjarklaustur Chapel, consecrated in 1974, was built in memory of the Rev. Jón Steingrímsson, who on 20th July 1783 celebrated the "Fire Mass" in the church at Kirkjubæjarklaustur, and was credited with halting the flow of lava which threatened the area. The site, now known as Eldmessutangi (Fire-sermon Point) is west of Systrastapi. The new chapel, which stands slightly farther to the east, was designed by architects Helgi and Vilhjálmur Hjálmarsson.

Kirkjubæjarklaustur is the only place between Vik and Höfn which offers services including a fuel station, bank, post office and supermarket. Nearby tourist attractions include the Laki craters, the Eldgjá and Skaftafell National Park. An attraction close to the village is Kirkjugólf (Churchfloor), a natural pavement of basalt. These are basalt columns in the earth eroded and shaped by wind and waves, but only the top can be seen, and, as the name suggests, have the appearance of a paved church floor. It is a protected natural monument. This lava formation has similar origins to the Giant's Causeway in Ireland. All these attractions contribute to Kirkjubaejarklaustur being a very popular stopping point for tourists. The 50 room Icelandair Hotel Klaustur is also found here.

Back

Print | Tell a friend