Hólar University is located in Hólar, Iceland, an important historical centre of education. The university, which was the first post-secondary school in Hólar, was founded in 1106. It was renamed Hólar Agricultural College in 1882 and became Hólar University in 2007. Established in the 12th century, Hólar is one of the oldest universities in Europe. History Hólar in Hjaltadalur has a long history of schools and education. Bishop Jón Ögmundsson's cathedral school was founded in 1106, and after the Reformation in 1550 the school was converted to a Latin school that remained in operation until 1801. In 1882, an agricultural school was established at Hólar, and Hólar University College traces its roots to that institution. During the past 15 years, the school at Hólar has developed from a conventional agricultural school to a modern university-level institution. Architecture On campus the architectural history of Iceland can be traced from traditional turf houses to the present day and the school has a policy of safeguarding this heritage through sustainable use. The main building, which houses the department of tourism, is the work of two of the first architects in Iceland and dates from 1911 and 1927 respectively. Among the most important architectural landmarks in Iceland is the Reykjavik cathedral consecrated in 1763. Early settlement Although Hólar is not mentioned in the Icelandic sagas, it is thought that it was settled by people from the early settlement of Hof, which is about 2,5 km south of Hólar. Hof, which is mentioned in the sagas, was settled by Hjalti Þórðarson whose sons became famous for their generosity and gallantry. The story tells that when they buried their father they gave the largest known burial feast in heathen times. Twelve hundred guests were invited and after the feast all men of distinction were sent on their way with valuable gifts. There is no doubt that their nobility and that of their descendants helped establish the fame and prosperity of Hólar. In the middle of the eleventh century a kinsman of the Hof family named Oxi Hjaltason, who lived in Hólar, built a great church there. Around the year 1100, Hólar was owned by Illugi Bjarnason who, when a bishop's seat was established in northern Iceland, gave Hólar to the Church for that purpose. Bishop's seat and the bishops During Catholic times, Hólar accumulated great wealth and was densely populated. During the peak of the bishop's