The Stone House at Sómastaðir

The Stone House at Sómastaðir

The Stone House at Sómastaðir is one of the oldest and most notable stone buildings in East Iceland, located near Eskifjörður. The house was built in 1875 using roughly shaped stones gathered from the surrounding area.

The walls were bonded with glacial clay, a traditional construction method used in Iceland before cement and lime mortar became widely available. This makes the building an important example of 19th-century Icelandic building techniques.

Set within a scenic landscape where mountains meet the fjord, the house reflects the close relationship between people and the natural materials available to them at the time. Despite harsh weather conditions, the structure has endured for nearly a century and a half.

Several popular destinations are located nearby, including Mount Hólmatindur, Hoffell and the town of Eskifjörður, making the area well suited for exploration.