Burstarfell Museum
Burstarfell Museum
Bustarfell is one of the best remaining turf farmsteads in Iceland. Sited in the Hofsa Valley just off road 85, Burstafell is 19km south of the fishing village Vopnafjordur.
The same family has lived on the site since 1532. The oldest part of the farmhouse dates from 1770 but as turf buildings required constant maintenance and renewal, many parts are more recent. The farmhouse was lived in until 1966 when the farmers built themselves a modern house nearby. In 1943, they sold the turf farm buildings to the state and the National Museum of Iceland now runs the museum there.
Inside the farmhouse, visitors will witness how resourceful and inventive people had to be to thrive in isolated and harsh places where self-sufficiency was the order of the day. The buildings are packed with implements and tools used in farming life as well as household goods and items used in the preparation and preservation of food. You'll find clothing, furnishings, footwear and many ingenious ways of making use of the most improbable items. Nothing was wasted.
In the 16th and 17th centuries, Burstafell was the residence of the regional Sheriff. There is a charming local folk tale about the Sheriff's wife who saved the life and baby of an elf woman in labour and was rewarded with a fine piece of golden cloth. Replicas of the cloth are for sale in the nearby café.
A one-hour walk starting close by the museum leads to Álfkonusteinn elf rock, taking you along the banks of the Þuríðará river to a small waterfall. A trail description is available from the museum or from the tourist information centre in Vopnafjordur.
http://www.vopnafjordur.com/attractions/history-n-culture/bustarfell-museum
Tel. (+354) 471 2211 / 844 1153