---
title: Medieval Turf House and Church
author: Jan Vrsinsky
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/14987/medieval-turf-house-and-church/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0)
updated: 1970-01-01
---
# Medieval Turf House and Church
_Authored by Jan Vrsinsky_
## Image File
[](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/14987.jpg)
## Image Caption
Medieval turf house and church in Iceland.
The Icelandic turf farmstead has developed from the longhouse, a Northern European tradition. As their name suggests, turf is one of the main materials used for its construction. Timber is used for the structure, turf is laid to form the thick walls and as a cover for the roof. Sometimes stones are used for the walls. The longhouse traditionally housed all the necessary functions. The double-pitched roof was supported by inside posts and covered with turf. The entrance was placed on the longitudinal side of the house. The outer walls were made entirely of turf and sometimes stone.
## Cite This Work
### APA
Vrsinsky, J. (2021, December 14). Medieval Turf House and Church. *World History Encyclopedia*.
### Chicago
Vrsinsky, Jan. "Medieval Turf House and Church." *World History Encyclopedia*, December 14, 2021. .
### MLA
Vrsinsky, Jan. "Medieval Turf House and Church." *World History Encyclopedia*, 14 Dec 2021, .
## License & Copyright
[](https://www.flickr.com/photos/23744780@N03/7751825882)This image was first published on [Flickr](http://www.flickr.com). [Original image](https://www.flickr.com/photos/23744780@N03/7751825882) by [**Jan Vrsinsky**](https://www.flickr.com/photos/23744780@N03/7751825882). Submitted by [Irina-Maria Manea](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/irinamaria.manea/ "User Page: Irina-Maria Manea"), published on 14 December 2021. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0deed.en). This license allows for redistribution, commercial and non-commercial, as long as it is passed along unchanged and in whole, with credit to you. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.