Here, soon after the introduction of Christianity, the first bishopric was founded in 1098, and the church is said to have been one of the largest and richest.

Now Skalholt is a miserable place, and consists of three or four cottages, and a wretched wooden church, which may perhaps contain a hundred persons; it has not even its own priest, but belongs to Thorfastadir.
My first business on arriving was to inspect the yet remaining relics of past ages.

First I was shewn an oil-picture which hangs in the church, and is said to represent the first bishop of Skalholt, Thorlakur, who was worshipped almost as a saint for his strict and pious life.
After this, preparations were made to clear away the steps of the altar and several boards of the flooring.

I stood expectantly looking on, thinking that I should now have to descend into a vault to inspect the embalmed body of the bishop.

I must confess this prospect was not the most agreeable, when I thought of the approaching night which I should have to spend in this church, perhaps immediately over the grave of the old skeleton.