Skálholt

Skálholt
Coordinates	64 ° 8 ′  N , 20 ° 31 ′  W Coordinates: 64 ° 8 ′  N , 20 ° 31 ′  W
Basic data
Country	Iceland
region	Southurland
local community	Bláskógabyggð
Skálholt in June 2013

Skálholt in February 2003

Interior of the cathedral, Skálholt

The estate Skálholt [ skaulhɔl̥t ] is located in southern Iceland in the municipality Bláskógabyggð . Before the Reformation it was the seat of the Catholic diocese of Skálholt (today the titular diocese of Skálholt ) and then until 1801 it was the evangelical bishopric.

Meaning of Skálholt

The place consists of a relatively large church , the Skálholtsdómkirkja (built from 1956 to 1963), the residence of the auxiliary bishop and a small school complex. Despite its small size, the place is of remarkable importance for the history of the country, since the Middle Ages, alongside Hólar, it was the more important bishopric of Iceland (founded in 1056). Thus Skálholt had as a cultural and political center for many centuries similar weight to Þingvellir .

The country's first Latin school was founded in Skálholt at the end of the 12th century.

In 1550 the last Catholic bishop of Iceland, Jón Arason , and his sons were executed here.

In 1801 the bishopric was moved to Reykjavík . Today there is still an auxiliary bishop's seat here .

Sons and daughters of the place

• Finnur Magnússon (1781–1847), archaeologist

See also

• List of the Bishops of Skálholt
• List of the Roman Catholic titular dioceses
• Skálholt card
• List of cities in Iceland
• History of Iceland
• Education system in Iceland

Web links

Commons : Skálholt  - collection of images, videos and audio files

• official website (English)
• Bishop Islav von Skálholt
• Skálholt and Icelandic Church History
• MBL: On the excavations on Skálholt, 2002 (Icelandic)