Skálholt Cathedral is open every day from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm - Mass is held every Sunday at 11:00 am
News
Event Title
Event Time
Event Date
Change the event description to include your own content. Adjust the settings to customize the style.
September 2026
SUN
MON
TUE
WED
THU
FRI
SAT
Skálholt Cathedral
Skálholt Cathedral is open every day of the year from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and masses are every Sunday morning at 11:00 a.m.
Skálholt Cathedral was consecrated in 1963 and is the tenth church that stands there in the same place. The first one was built shortly after the year 1000 when Icelanders converted to Christianity.
You are welcome to visit Skálholt during opening hours.
Facilities
.jpg)
Skálholt is one of Iceland's greatest historical sites and a bishop's seat since 1056. In the basement of the church there is an exhibition with artifacts and fragments of history. You can book guided tours for groups of 10 or more people throughout the year with a guided tour.
.jpg)
The restaurant Hvönn in Skálholt is a great place to stop for a meal on the Golden Circle. At Hvönn, the emphasis is on a pleasant environment in a beautiful historical place. Traditional meals are offered with modern accents.
Hotel Skálholt offers varied and comfortable accommodation in the middle of the Golden Circle. It is short in all directions and ideal for day trips from Skálholt.
Stay in one of the most historic places in the country in beautiful surroundings.
Important dates
1000
Icelanders adopted Christianity and soon after the first church was built in Skálholt
1056
Ísleifur Gissurarson was consecrated in Bremen, Germany, thereby becoming the first bishop of Iceland and Greenland. He resided on his ancestral estate at Skálholt.
1550
Jón Arason and his sons executed in Skáholt. The event marked the beginning of the Reformation in Iceland.
1948
The Skálholt Society was founded. The Society spearheaded the construction of a current cathedral, which came to fruition in 1963.
1956
On July 1, 1956, thousands of Icelanders commemorated the 900th anniversary of the founding of the episcopal see at Skálholt.
1975
Helga Ingólfsdóttir organized the first Skálholt Summer Concerts. They have been held annually ever since, making it one of the oldest Baroque festivals in the Nordic countries.
2021
This year, the church was restorated with help from the A.P. Møller Mærsk Foundation
Shortcut
Skálholt
Skálholt School
Skálholti, 806 Selfoss
+354 486 8801
Link to map
Contact
Visiting hours are by agreement.
Priest: Kristín Þórunn Tómasdóttir
kristin.tomasdottir@kirkjan.is S. 862 4164
Organist: Jón Bjarnason
jon@skalholt.is S. 691 8321
Guided tour
Book a guided tour around Skálholt!
The tour takes around 30 minutes and will give you an insight into Skálholt significant history.
Price:
2- 5 persons – 3500 ISK per person (25 USD - 24 EUR pr pers)
6 - 9 persons – 2500 ISK per person (21 USD - 20 EUR pr pers)
10 + persons - 1500 ISK per person (11 USD - 10 EUR per pers)
Available tours from 9am to 5pm.
Book your tour by sending an email to skalholt@skalholt.is.
Opening hours
Skálholtskirkja and Thorlaks booth is open every day 9:00 - 18:00