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The church at Vidimyri
(Skagafjordur) is considered to be "The
purest example and the most beautiful keepsake of the Icelandic
architecture" according to the words of one of the country's foremost
archaeologists and its fourth president. The timbers of the church
were selected from the driftwood spreads of the Skagi County and the
turf from the lands of Vidimyri. Most of the timber is original, but
the turf has been renewed. The churchyard gate with its bells is
situated exactly where it was in the beginning.
There are many artefacts from the
older churches remaining in the present church, which was
built in 1834 and consecrated in 1935. The pulpit dates back
to the earliest churches and the altarpiece is Danish, from
the year 1616. During the times from the acceptance of
Christianity, the women were supposed to share the northern
side of the churches and the men the southern part. The poorest were
supposed to sit in the back and the richest closest to the
altar. In this instance, the family of the Vidimyri farm sat
on the northern side of the choir during services.
The parsonage Vidimyri
is closely connected with the development of the Icelandic history and
Sagas. This farm was owned and seated by one of the most important and
powerful dynasties of the country, the Asbirningar, during the Saga
period. One of the country's most remembered and renowned bishops
during Catholic times served there before he became a bishop at Holar,
the northern see of the country.
Tel.: 453-6173 & 690-3580 |