Arriving at Skálholt, the site, with church set high on a hill, and lush green lands backed by distant mountains is calming and beautiful. This area was once one of the most important sites in Iceland. Between 1056 and 1785, this area was the site of two Episcopal sees. Along with Hólar, it was a cultural and political center, the site of Iceland’s first official school,  Skálholtsskóli, founded to educate the clergy.  During the Middle Ages, Skálholt was the seat of activity. Along with a bishop’s office, the cathedral and a school, there was farming, a smithy and a monastery, as long as Catholicism lasted here.  It was described in 1075 as the “largest city in Iceland” because of its large number of structures that also included dormitories for teachers and servants.  In 1153, Skálholt became a province of the Cathedral of Nidaros, the seat of the Catholic Archdiocese based in Trondheim, Norway.  After the Reformation, the church continued as an Episcopal See with the end of Catholicism in Iceland in 1550, when Jon Aranson, the Bishop of Hólar and his two sons were executed in Skálholt. The current cathedral at Skálholt was built between 1956 and 1963, in part to celebrate the millennial of the Episcopal See. The contemporary stained glass windows in the church were a gift from Denmark, the work of the woman artist, Gerour Helgadöttir (1928-1975), Iceland’s premier sculptor and artist in metal and glass. In 1992, the school was re-instituted under the old name, Skálholtsskóli, and currently serves as the education and information center of the Church of Iceland. An archaeological site, investigating the farm mound southwest of the church, was conducted between 2002 and 2007, with the aim of shedding light on the material and culture of Skálholt as it existed between the 11th and 18th centuries.

PHOTOS: Left Column: 1. The flag of Iceland marks important historical sites. The flagpole stands at the archaeological site of historical Skálholt. 2& 3. Two examples of the masterful stained glass windows produced by Gerour Helgaddöttir, a gift from the Danes at the Millennial celebration of Skálholt Cathedral.  Center Top: View of the Archaeological site c. 2002-2007 southwest of the cathedral. Center, Middle:  Archeological rendering of Skálholt c. 1772.  Center, Bottom: View of the rich lands surrounding Skálholt Cathedral. Right Top: View of Skálholt Cathedral.

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