Munkaþverá

Welcome to Munkathvera, an ancient and venerable site nestled in the sweeping, majestic landscape of the Eyjafjordur valley in northern Iceland. As you stand here today, breathing in the crisp, unpolluted arctic air, you are…

We begin our journey at the approach to the old abbey gates, a spot that marks the historical threshold between the secular world and the sacred confines of the Munkathvera monastery. As you walk along this gravel path, listen to…

You have now entered the area that once served as the cloister grounds of the abbey. This open, grassy expanse, dotted with wildflowers in the brief Icelandic summer, was the heart of the monastic community. …

Welcome to the Bishop's Garden Area. This secluded section of the Munkathvera grounds, surrounded by low, weathered stone walls and resilient arctic flora, offers a quiet space to contemplate the deeply personal and famously…

You are now standing near the footprint of the ancient nave, the architectural heart of the Munkathvera church. Close your eyes for a moment and envision the high wooden beams that once arched overhead, designed to echo the…

You have arrived at the easternmost point of the old church foundation, the sacred space where the high altar of the Munkathvera monastery once stood. This is the spiritual epicenter of the ruins, the place where the bread and…

We have stepped away from the abbey foundations and into the Southern Churchyard. As you walk among the uneven ground and the weathered, moss-covered graves, notice how the wind seems to howl a little louder here, unobstructed by…

You now stand before the Memorial Stone, a somber and powerful monument dedicated to the memory of Jon Arason. Run your fingers over the cold, rough texture of the stone and look at the names engraved upon it. …

As we walk along the exit path, taking our final views of the Munkathvera grounds, let us reflect on the immense gravity of the history contained within this quiet valley. The wind continues to sweep down from the mountains of…