Hólar Cathedral

The northern episcopal seat of the country from the twelfth century, set in a valley in the Skagafjörður district and long a rival centre of power to Skálholt in the south. The red basalt cathedral, built in the mid eighteenth century, is among the oldest stone churches on the island and holds medieval altarpieces and carved treasures. A detached bell tower stands nearby, and the site now includes an agricultural university. The remote inland valley setting, ringed by mountains, preserves the atmosphere of a historic ecclesiastical centre.