Scandinavia's Iceland boasts unique natural beauty and a captivating history.

Unlike other European countries with magnificent castles, Iceland nurtures its culture through traditional turf houses nestled amidst volcanic lava and tundra, silently bearing witness to a thousand years of history.

These turf houses embody the same qualities as Icelandic culture and its people—simple, understated, and practical—seamlessly blending with nature as though they sprouted from the land.

Turf houses, as the name suggests, feature roofs and exteriors made of turf, making them not only environmentally friendly but also cost-effective and practical.

The turf roofs effectively insulate against winter cold and provide a shield against summer heat, while also absorbing rainfall. Most importantly, these dwellings harmoniously coexist with the magnificent Nordic scenery.

Fans of magical movies will find Iceland's turf houses familiar, with their A-shaped structures, thick roofs, and green grass adorning the walls and hillsides, reminiscent of the Hobbit's abodes from "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings" films. Art imitates life, and it was the turf houses that inspired the creators of these movies.

Similar turf house appearances can also be spotted in the popular series "Game of Thrones."

The construction of turf houses relies entirely on local materials. When building a house, locals choose a sheltered location and employ huge, flat volcanic rocks as the foundation, easily found along the seaside and mountains.

Depending on the purpose, the exterior walls can consist of stone or wooden frames filled with turf, or a combination of both, creating composite walls. The roofs are typically made of sod, while the floors can be earthen or wooden. In ancient times, turf houses were often built in a concave manner, blending with the surrounding terrain.

This semi-basement structure provides warmth in winter and keeps the interior cool in summer. The primary advantage of turf houses lies in their ability to help locals withstand the harsh winters, effectively shielding them against hurricanes and providing excellent insulation.

Given Iceland's active volcanic activity and frequent earthquakes, turf houses, with their grass-covered roofs and walls, provide exceptional strength, minimizing the risk of collapse compared to other building materials.

Turf houses in Iceland symbolize the local population's ingenuity in adapting to their environment and coexisting harmoniously with nature. The history of turf houses dates back to the 9th century AD when the Vikings settled in Iceland.

The Scandinavian Vikings used to construct longhouses with massive logs, suitable for multiple families to live together and protect themselves from harsh weather, wild animals, and potential invaders. However, they quickly discovered that Iceland was covered in volcanic rocks and tundra, with limited availability of wood and slow tree growth.

Building houses and obtaining firewood became challenging, especially during freezing winters. These easily erected houses were vulnerable to hurricanes and blizzards, and even earthquakes could cause severe damage. Turf, on the other hand, proved durable, renewable, and widely accessible. Turf-built longhouses soon became the dominant architectural style across Iceland.

Iceland's turf houses embody the wisdom of the locals, adapting to their surroundings and cohabiting harmoniously with nature.

Spanning back to the Viking settlement in the 9th century, these resilient and sustainable structures have become an integral part of Icelandic heritage. The allure of turf houses lies in their ability to withstand the elements, blend seamlessly with the picturesque landscape, and serve as a testament to the resourcefulness and resilience of the Icelandic people.