Skaftholtsrettir - The Skaftholt Sheepfolds - Iceland
Posted by: 
tmob
N 64° 02.525 W 020° 13.112
27W E 538165 N 7101936
Skaftholt Sheepfolds are dated back from 12th century.
Waymark Code: WM19T02
Location: Iceland
Date Posted: 04/07/2024
Views: 1
Réttir, or sheepfolds, can be widely found in most habitable areas of Iceland and the rounding up and gathering of sheep into the folds from highland pastures in autumn developed over the agers into an important social event.
The summer pastures in the highlands of Gnúpverjahreppur county stretch along the banks of river pjorsá westbound to the highlands, reaching Arnarfell mountain. The stretch spans about 120 km and the sheep which are round up on horseback, are then driven back to Skaftholdsréttir-fold.
Historical records, mentioning Skaftholdsréttir-fold, are limited but it is believed that there has been a sheepfold on this location since the 12th century. In Sturlunga-saga, the fold is mentioned and named as a meeting place in 1283.
Skaftholdsréttir-fold boasts a circular shaped common are, known as almenningur, with triangular shaped stall, or dilkar, leading from the outer wall to the common area.
Neighbouring counties rounded up sheep into the fold until 1881, until Reykjaréttir-fold was erected and took its place and now only sheep from Gnúpverjarhreppur-county are sorted in the fold.
Skaftholdsréttir-fold was renovated and rebuilt in 1954, but collapsed almost completely when an earthquake shook the area on June 17, 2000. Rebuilding began the following summer and shortly after a group of about 300 volunteers founded the Friends of Skaftholdsréttir-society to fund reconstruction of the fold.
Source: information plaque on site.
Group that erected the marker: Friends of Skaftholdsréttir-society
URL of a web site with more information about the history mentioned on the sign: [Web Link]
Address of where the marker is located. Approximate if necessary:
ÞjórsárdalsvegurIceland
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