About Kirkjubæjarklaustur
The name translates as "church farm cloister," a reference to the area's long religious history. Irish monks are thought to have settled here before the first Norse arrivals, and a Benedictine convent operated at the site from 1186 until the Reformation in 1550. The waterfall Systrafoss and the lake Systravatn, both above the village, take their names from the sisters who lived there.
The village sits between Vík to the west and Höfn to the east, with fuel, accommodation, a supermarket, and the Skaftárstofa visitor centre, which covers the geology and history of the wider region. It is one of the few service stops on this stretch of the south coast and a natural overnight stop for Ring Road travellers.
The Fire Mass
Kirkjubæjarklaustur's most famous story involves the eruption of Laki in 1783, one of the most significant volcanic events in recorded history. The eruption, known as Skaftáreldar, produced around five cubic kilometres of lava and released toxic gases that caused widespread livestock deaths and a famine that reduced Iceland's population significantly. The lava flow advanced toward Kirkjubæjarklaustur and appeared likely to destroy the village.
On 20 July 1783, local pastor Jón Steingrímsson gathered the congregation in the church and delivered what became known as the Eldmessa, or Fire Mass. When the service ended, the lava had stopped advancing at the edge of the village. Whether through chance or otherwise, the story has defined Kirkjubæjarklaustur's identity ever since. The current church, built in 1974, commemorates Steingrímsson and stands in the centre of the village.
What to see near Kirkjubæjarklaustur
Kirkjugólf
Around 1.5 kilometres east of the village, Kirkjugólf is a natural formation of basalt column tops that have been worn flat by glacial action, creating a surface that resembles a paved floor. The name means "church floor" in Icelandic. It is free to visit and a short walk from the road.
Fjaðrárgljúfur
Around 6 to 10 kilometres from the village, Fjaðrárgljúfur is a canyon approximately 100 metres deep and 2 kilometres long, carved by the Fjaðrá river through palagonite rock formed during the Ice Age. A trail runs along the canyon rim with several viewpoints. The road to the canyon is accessible by standard car and is open year-round, though it can be busy in summer.
Eldhraun
The Eldhraun lava field, formed by the 1783 Laki eruption, covers around 565 square kilometres between Vík and Kirkjubæjarklaustur along the Ring Road. Today it is covered in a continuous layer of wooly fringe moss. Stepping off marked paths onto the moss is prohibited as the damage takes decades to recover.
Laki craters
Around 50 kilometres north of the village on a highland route, the Lakagígar crater row is a 27-kilometre fissure with 130 volcanic craters. It is accessible in summer only, typically from June to September, and requires a 4x4 vehicle. Tours operate from the village during the summer season.
Filming location
Some scenes from Christopher Nolan's 2014 film Interstellar were filmed in and around Kirkjubæjarklaustur. The production reportedly occupied all available accommodation in the village during filming.
