Nýlenda

Nýlenda was built in 1883 where now is Nýlendugata. Before Nýlenda was built there was a turf house at the same location with the same name. The street Nýlendugata also takes its name from this house. Improvements were made in 1907 with the addition of a new entrance. Nýlenda is a half-stone house with stacked main walls and timber gables. These half-stone buildings were specific to Reykjavík and mainly constructed by poor workmen. Relocated to the Árbær Open Air Museum in 1973, Nýlenda features an entrance hall, living room kitchen and attic. The current exhibition aims to recreate the living situation of poor labourers and their families at the time when King Frederik VIII of Denmark visited Iceland in 1907.