capital-region · Iceland
Breiðholt
Long before Breiðholt became one of the largest residential areas in Reykjavík, the land was home to a small farmstead. The original Breiðholtsbær stood here for centuries, shaping the identity of the area. Nearby, a church once served the local community, and a small churchyard marked the spiritual center of daily life. Over time, the old structures fell into ruin as Reykjavík expanded and modern neighborhoods replaced farmland. Yet the memory of the original settlement remained strong enough that the site was protected in 1981. Today, visitors can still find traces of the old farm, including the remains of the church and burial ground. Standing among these ruins, it becomes easier to imagine the quiet rural life that once existed here—long before apartment blocks and city streets transformed Breiðholt into the urban district it is today.
About Breiðholt
Long before Breiðholt became one of the largest residential areas in Reykjavík, the land was home to a small farmstead. The original Breiðholtsbær stood here for centuries, shaping the identity of the area. Nearby, a church once served the local community, and a small churchyard marked the spiritual center of daily life. Over time, the old structures fell into ruin as Reykjavík expanded and modern neighborhoods replaced farmland. Yet the memory of the original settlement remained strong enough that the site was protected in 1981. Today, visitors can still find traces of the old farm, including the remains of the church and burial ground. Standing among these ruins, it becomes easier to imagine the quiet rural life that once existed here—long before apartment blocks and city streets transformed Breiðholt into the urban district it is today.
History & Background
The farm Breiðholtsbær is first recorded in written sources from 1395, indicating its long-standing presence in the area. Over time, it developed as a traditional Icelandic farm with an associated church and burial ground. The ruins of the farm, church, and churchyard were officially protected on July 28, 1981. Preservation records place the site approximately 15–30 meters north of Grjótasel 21, with the church believed to have stood slightly above the farmstead. Historical references also mention a stone-built bathing pool that remained visible until around 1950. Today, the site is recognized as an important cultural heritage location within Breiðholt.
Key Facts
- ✔Iceland was settled by Norse Vikings around 870 AD
- ✔The Icelandic sagas document the lives and exploits of early settlers
- ✔Breiðholt is part of Iceland's extensive Viking-age heritage
Tours Near Breiðholt
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Book NowAbout Breiðholt
The rústir gamla Breiðholtsbæjarins are a protected historical site located in Breiðholt in Reykjavík. These ruins mark the original farmstead of Breiðholt, from which the entire district takes its name, and represent an important link to the area’s rural past before modern urban development. The farm Breiðholtsbær is first mentioned in written sources dating back to 1395, indicating that it was an established settlement during the late medieval period. Over the centuries, it functioned as a traditional Icelandic farm, supporting local families through agriculture and livestock. A church once stood nearby, along with a small churchyard, highlighting the role of the site as both a residential and spiritual center for the surrounding community. Today, the remains of the farm, church, and burial ground are preserved as an archaeological site. According to preservation records, the ruins are located approximately 15–30 meters north of the house at Grjótasel 21, with the church believed to have stood slightly above the main farm buildings. Historical accounts also refer to a stone-built bathing pool that was still visible until around the mid-20th century. The site was officially protected on July 28, 1981, recognizing its cultural and historical value. It now stands as a rare reminder of Reykjavík’s agricultural past, offering insight into how the landscape has transformed over time while preserving traces of earlier ways of life.
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Book NowHistory & Background
The farm Breiðholtsbær is first recorded in written sources from 1395, indicating its long-standing presence in the area. Over time, it developed as a traditional Icelandic farm with an associated church and burial ground. The ruins of the farm, church, and churchyard were officially protected on July 28, 1981. Preservation records place the site approximately 15–30 meters north of Grjótasel 21, with the church believed to have stood slightly above the farmstead. Historical references also mention a stone-built bathing pool that remained visible until around 1950. Today, the site is recognized as an important cultural heritage location within Breiðholt.
Reykjanes Peninsula Private Day Tour - up to 9 passengers
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Book NowStory & Folklore
Long before Breiðholt became a modern residential district, the land was home to a small but enduring farm known as Breiðholtsbær. For centuries, families lived and worked here, shaping the landscape through farming and daily life. A church once stood nearby, serving as a spiritual center for the local community, with a small graveyard marking generations who had lived on the land. As Reykjavík expanded in the 20th century, the quiet rural setting gradually disappeared, replaced by streets and housing. The old farm buildings fell into ruin, but their memory remained. In 1981, the site was officially protected to preserve this connection to the past. Today, visitors can walk near the remains and imagine a very different Breiðholt—one of open fields, scattered farmhouses, and a close-knit community. The ruins stand as a quiet reminder of how the area evolved from a rural settlement into part of a growing city, while still holding onto its historical roots.
Why Visit
Visit the rústir gamla Breiðholtsbæjarins in Breiðholt to connect with the origins of the area and experience a preserved piece of Reykjavík’s rural past within the modern city.