Sænautasel
Rebuilt 19th-century highland farm on Jökuldalsheiði by Sænautavatn, with guided tours of farming on the heath and coffee in old buildings.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Sænautasel is a highland farm on Jökuldalsheiði, by the lake Sænautavatn. People farmed there from 1843 to 1943, apart from a five-year break after the Askja eruption of 1875, when settlement on the heath was abandoned for a time. The farm was rebuilt in 1992 and has welcomed visitors in the summer ever since.
The guided tour tells the story of the people who lived on the heath, where settlement continued into the 20th century. It is said that Halldór Kiljan Laxness stayed at Sænautasel in the 1920s and that the farm influenced his novel Sjálfstætt fólk (Independent People).
In an old sheepfold there is a restaurant that serves coffee and pancakes by candlelight from midsummer until autumn. The Skessugarður and Stuðlagil are nearby.
Highlights
- A rebuilt 19th-century highland farm by Sænautavatn
- Guided tours on the life of people on Jökuldalsheiði
- Connection to Halldór Laxness and Sjálfstætt fólk
- Coffee and pancakes in an old sheepfold
- Stuðlagil and Skessugarður nearby
Permanent exhibition
- Heiðarbýlið Sænautasel – A rebuilt turf farmhouse showing farming and daily life on Jökuldalsheiði, with a guided tour.
Admission & discounts
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
The farm is on road F907 on Jökuldalsheiði, by the lake Sænautavatn.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
Light refreshments in an old sheepfold: pancakes and coffee by candlelight, from mid-June to mid-September.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Guided tours of the farm are offered. |
