Eiriksstadir is an abandoned farmstead in the Haukadalur valley. According to the Eric Saga and the Greenlander Saga, Erik the red lived there. He was the father of Leif the lucky, who discovered North America in the year 1000.

Leif was brought up at Eiriksstadir to the age of six, when his family had to emigrate to Greenland. In the year 985, a few men from the farm Breidabolstadur near the farm Drangar had attacked his father after he had collected a dept there rather forcefully. The result was the death of two of the sons of the farmer at Breidabolstadur and Erik was exiled from the country.  Click picture below for furter information.

After having settled on the west coast of Greenland, Erik probably got bored and needed the company of more people. Thus, he sailed back to Iceland and told everyone who would listen how outstanding it was to live in Greenland. He managed to convince quite a few families to accompany him back there to settle, but half of the fleet of almost 30 ships was lost at sea. This was the beginning of the Icelandic settlement of Greenland.
Budardalur

The museum is open daily during summer.
Tel.:  434 1118; 434 1132.
ferdamal@dalir.is
www.leif.is

During winter requests for visits are arranged by the Dalir District Tourist Representetive or by Magnina Kristjansdottir Tel.: 434 1221.

Receptions with cured shark and the Icelandic brandy, The Black Death, are also arranged upon request.