Museum and Culture

Árbæjarsafn - by Kistuhylur Reykjavik, Tel. 577 1111

	Árbæjarsafn was established by the City of Reykjavík in 1957 as an open-air museum to preserve and show selected old houses. The museum is built around the old farm of Árbær but most of the houses there are originally from the center of Reykjavík. The museum’s aim is to give the public an idea of the architecture and the lifestyle of the past.
Opening hours: Open 12:00 - 19:00 weekdays, 13:00 - 17:00 weekends.

Art Gallery Fold has the finest selection of contemporary Icelandic art available in Iceland. Located at the three biggest shopping areas Art Gallery Fold makes it easy for everyone to enjoy and acquire Icelandic contemporary art. We pride ourselves in selling good art by recognized Icelandic artists at a reasonable price.

In Haukadalur, Dalabyggð in the west of Iceland, the Eiríksstaðir ruins were excavated in the summers of 1997-99. Excavations by archaeologists from the National Museum of Iceland in 1997 revealed the existence of a farmhouse with an interior area of 50 m². Dating from the 10th century, the ruins are on public display.

	The mission of The Icelandic Institute of Natural History is to study, record and describe Icelandic nature, monitor and conserve it, and to ensure that its use is sustainable. The Institute runs The Icelandic Natural History Museum in Reykjavík.
Opening hours: Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays 13.00 - 17.00.

The National Gallery of Iceland, established in 1884, houses the main collection of Icelandic art, covering in particular 19th and 20th century Icelandic and international art. It contains the main Icelandic key works of the 20th century, by the nation's leading artists.

The National Museum of Iceland has a long history and has played an important part in the Icelandic culture since it was first established in the year 1863. Now the museum has been extensively refurbished and offers an adventurous insight into the Icelandic history and its heritage in a stylish and modern building at Sudurgata in Reykjavík.

Reykjavík Energy is a large energy company founded in the year 1999 when Reykjavik District Heating, Reykjavík Municipal District Heating and Reykjavík Waterworks a year later, merged into one. The company produces and distributes electricity, hot and cold water and serves a large population in Iceland every day.

	The Reykjavík Museum of Photography is Iceland's only autonomous photographic museum. Its role is to preserve photographs, glass plates, negatives and slides in such a way that the people of Reykjavík and visitors have optimum access to the museum's collection.
Opening hours: Open 12:00 - 19:00 weekdays, 13:00 - 17:00 weekends.

In the year 1000 A.D., Christianity became the state religion of Iceland. The first bishop was inaugurated in 1056. Skálholt is one of the most important places in the history of Iceland and deeply respected as well.

In the heart of the southern part of Iceland, located next to the magnificent waterfall Skógafoss, is an interesting museum which was established in the year 1949. The museum has grown immensely through the years. There you can now see how the Icelanders lived in the past.

	In an old and magnificent building located in the heart of the city centre, the Icelandic cultural heritage and natural treasures are on display in the Culture House. The building, which was designed by a Danish architect, Johannes Magdahl Nielsen, opened in the year 1909 and is one of the greatest structures in Iceland.
Opening hours: The showrooms are open from 11:00 - 17:00.

The Iceland Symphony Orchestra, widely considered to be one of the leading Nordic orchestras, continues to attract audiences through its high standards of performance coupled with innovative programming.

	The Icelandic Emigration Center was founded in 1996 to commemorate the Icelandic emigrants to North America and promote contact between their descendants and the people of Iceland.
Opening hours: Open 11:00 - 18:00 every day from 1st june to 1st september.

The Saga Centre in Hvolsvöllur was opened in 1997 and the guests are offered a guided tour through the exhibition on the Njál´s Saga and the viking age. In the heart of the building there is a reconstruction of a medieval hall.

	Ásmundarsafn or The Ásmundur Sveinsson Sculpture Museum is dedicated to the sculptures and drawings of the sculptor Ásmundur Sveinsson (1893-1982). The building is the former home of the artist, mostly designed by himself. Ásmundarsafn gives an overview of different periods in the career of the artist.
Opening hours: Open daily.

	In April 2000 The Reykjavík Art Museum opened a new museum by the harbour side in an old warehouse named Hafnarhús. It has six exhibition halls for art, a multi-purpose space and an outdoor area in an enclosed courtyard.
Opening hours: Open daily 11:00 - 18:00 / Thursdays 11:00 - 19:00

	The Reykjavík Art Museum at Kjarvalsstaðir was inaugurated in 1973. It is situated at Miklatún park close to the center of Reykjavík. At Kjarvalsstaðir works by leading Icelandic and international artists of the 20th century are exhibited.
Opening hours: Open daily 10:00 -17:00 / Wednesdays 10:00 - 19:00

Archive Museum of East-Iceland - Laufskógum 1 Egilsstaðir Tel. 471 1417

At the archive museum you can find letters. books, files and pictures related to the life of the people in East Iceland.

ASÍ Art Museum - Freyjugötu 41 Reykjavík, Tel. 511 5353

The ASI Art Museum serves as a forum for contemporary art in Iceland and features various monthly exhibits, which include works by both young and old Icelandic artists. The museum reflects the flora that attributes Icelandic art today where paintings, sculptures, graphic design, video art and crafts are examples of what there is on display. The museum is located in an old and dignified building at Freyjugata 41, near the church Hallgrímskirkja. It was the Icelandic sculptor, Ásmundur Sveinsson, who built it in the years 1933- 35 and it is one of Iceland's first funkisbuildings. The museum is open daily except on Mondays and there is no charge for admission.

Ásgrímur Jónsson Museum - Bergstaðastræti 74 Reykjavík, Tel. 515 9625

The Ásgrímur Jónsson Collection Painter Ásgrímur Jónsson (1876-1958) bequeathed all his works to the Icelandic state. His donation forms a separate department within the National Gallery of Iceland. Ásgrímur Jónsson was a pioneer of modern Icelandic art and one of the country's most prolific landscape painters. His collection is to be found in his studio home, which is open to the public. It comprises oil paintings, watercolours and drawings.

Borgarfjörður Museum - Bjarnarbraut 4 - 6 Borgarnes, Tel. 430 7200.

The Institute comprises The Borgarfjörður Local Library, The Borgarfjörður Archives, The Borgarfjörður Natural History Collection, The Borgarfjörður Art Collection and The Borgarfjörður Museum of Local History. The Museum of Local History collects and preserves objects that relate to the history of labour and the development of local industries. Opening hours: Every day during the summer: 13 -18.

Byggðasafn Árnesinga - Húsið Eyrarbakka, Tel. 483 1504

The folk museum is located in Húsið - "The House in Eyrarbakki" dating back to 1765. It is one of the oldest and most remarkable buildings in Iceland and was orginally the residence of the Eyrarbakki trading post merchant and staff. Exhibitions in the House have been designed to show the building at it best. Several aspects of local history are also recounted.

Cultural Companion Birna - Reykjavik, Tel. 862 8031

The main goal of Cultural Companion Birna is to introduce the guests to the history and culture of Reykjavík and Iceland. Walking the streets and pathways of old Reykjavík gives an opportunity to make a personal acqaintance of the city.

East Iceland Maritime Museum - Strandgata 39b Eskifjordur, Tel. 476 1605

Souvenirs from the history of seafarers in the East of Iceland displayed in a trading house built in the first half of the 19th century. Also souvenirs from the history of labour and industry.

East-Iceland Heritage Museum - Laufskógum 1 Egilsstaðir, Tel. 471 1412

On display are artefacts and restorations conveying life, culture and work in the region from settlement in the early middle ages to the present.

Einar Jónsson Museum - Njarðargata Reykjavík, Tel. 551 3797

A large collection of sculptures by Einar Jónsson are displayed in the museum and in the museum's garden.

Electrical Museum - Elliðaár power station Reykjavík, Tel. 567 9009

History and development of hydroelectric power production in Iceland and the electrification of Reykjavík.

Eyrarbakki Maritime Museum - Tungata 59 Eyrarbakki, Tel. 483 1082

The museum takes the visitor back to old times in a small Icelandic fishing village. On display is a fine collection of artifacts connected with fisheries, crafts, the social and cultural life of the people during the last 100 years. The largest and most remarkable item on show is an open fishing boat named Farsaell which had 12 men at the oars. The boat was the work of Steinn Gudmundsson, a local boat builder. This kind of boat (the type is in fact named after Gudmundsson) was especially designed for use in the South Iceland fishing hamlets with their unprotected harbours.

Glaumbær Skagafjörður Folk Museum - Varmahlíð, Tel. 453 6173

An exhibition from the museum is housed in the ancient and historic Glaumbær farm. The farm buildings were built at different times, the most recent ones date from 1876-79. The kitchen is the oldest part, built ca. 1750. Together the buildings are a powerful reminder of 18th and 19th century life in the Icelandic countryside. The farm itself forms the backdrop for the display of various memorabilia from this time, though it was lived in until 1945.

Herring Era Museum - Snorragata 15 Siglufjörður, Tel. 467 1604

Herring Era Museum is found in the building where seasonal workers lived and worked during the herring boom. Through tools, artifacts and special summer shows, the museum recreates the era that was so instrumental in the development of modern Iceland.

Ichtyological and Natural History Museum - Westman Islands, Tel. 481 1997

The museum collects and preserves a wide range of specimens relating to natural history, with a view to exhibiting them. The ichtyological collection, the only one of its kind in Iceland, exhibits living examples of most fishes known to Icelanders, as well as smaller marine organisms.

Jósafat Hinriksson - Egilsbraut 2 Neskaupstað, Tel. 470 9063

Collection of maritime and handicraft artefacts.

Kópavogur Art Museum Gerðarsafn - Hamraborg 4 Kopavogur, Tel: 570 0440

Kópavogur Art Museum - Gerðarsafn was opened in April 1994, on the hill where Kópavogur Church stands out against the skyline. The museum has two storeys with a total floor space of 1260 sq.m. On the upper floor are two exhibition rooms, and on the lower floor a multipurpose exhibition space and cafeteria. Designed by Benjamín Magnússon, it is widely acclaimed as one of the most beautiful buildings to be constructed in Iceland in recent years.

Maritime Museum - Turnhúsið Ísafjörður, Tel. 456 4418

The old houses of "Neðstakaupstað" (Lower Village) in Isafjordur had a preservation order placed on them in 1975. The four houses in question are fine examples of 18th century Icelandic architecture. The Tower House, built in 1785, served as a warehouse and fish-processing plant and the Tar House, built in 1736, was used as a warehouse. Then there is the General Store, built in 1761 and the Overseer's House, built in 1765, which was used as a family house. The Tower House contains a display of memorabilia relating to the history of the West Fjords.

Natural History Museum in Neskaupstaður - Miðstræti 1, Tel. 477 1454

Good collection of birds, shellfish and stones.

Nordic House - Sturlugata 5 Reykjavík, Tel. 551 7030

Established to foster cultural links between Iceland and the other Nordic nations. Exhibition hall, library, café with international newspapers, lecture/recital hall.

Petra's Mineral Collection - Sunnuhlíð Stöðvarfjörður, Tel. 475 8834

Petra Sveinsdóttir began collecting rocks while still a child. Through the years her mineral collection has grown rapidly and her garden has been opened to the public. It includes mostly minerals, but also other natural phenomena and a good selection of plants.

Sigurjón Ólafsson Museum - Laugarnestangi 70 Reykjavík, Tel. 553 2906

The museum is a centre for the study of the work of Sigurjón Ólafsson. The museum also sponsors other cultural activities such as concerts, literary evenings et al.

Snæfellsbær Museum of Local History - Ólafsbraut 12 Ólafsvik Tel, 436 1543

The museum of Snæfellsbær is located in an 19th century warehouse. On the second and the third floor visitors can enjoy the museum and on the forst floor there is a museum shop, tourist information and summer exhibitions of various kind.

The Akranes Museum - Görðum Akranes, Tel. 431 1255

The Akranes Museum The museum has a large collection of mostly 19th century tools and household objects that bear witness to farming, housekeeping and social conditions in the township and vicinity of Akranes. Among the museum's more notable relics of early seafaring is a 125 year old fishing boat with full rigging, as well as the cutter "Sigurfari", an 86 tonne oak ship of 1885, the only fishing vessel of its kind preserved in Iceland. The museum has also rebuilt Iceland's oldest concrete house, built in 1876 -1882, as well as the township's oldest timber family house of 1875.

The Akureyri Art Museum - Kaupvangsstræti 12 Akureyri, Tel. 461 2610

Founded in 1993, The Akureyri Art Museum is the youngest art museum in Iceland and the only one of its kind outside the capital city of Reykjavik. The museum is located at Kaupvangsstræti 12, close to the town center - today this street is better known as the Art Canyon. The Akureyri Art Museum originally housed a cooperative dairy but the building is a fine example of the international Bauhausschool of architecture. The Akureyri Art Museum is the unifying symbol of the Art Canyon, which also goes under the name of Grófargil. The aim of the museum is to promote visual culture, to increase knowledge and the general appreciation of art, while maintaining an active relationship with the local schools. The museum prides itself on presenting a great range of exhibitions and regularly shows some of the most progressive artists in Iceland as well as internationally acknowledged artists from abroad.

The Akureyri Museum - Aðalstræti 58 Akureyri, Tel. 462 4162

The museum collects objects that serve as reminders of daily life in Akureyri and the Eyjafjör›ur area in times past. It also houses an important collection of photographs by local photographers. The garden adjoining the museum is the first forestation centre in Iceland, dating from 1899. Next door to the museum stands a timber church from Svalbar›, an Eyjafjörður farm, originally built in 1846.

The Bustarfell Folk Museum - Bustarfell Vopnafjörður, Tel. 473 1466

The Bustarfell Folk Museum The old turf farm at Burstafell is amongst the finest farm buildings of its kind in Iceland. It has been preserved as an outstanding example of a traditional farmstead and family seat, complete with fittings and household objects. The oldest part of the farm, the pantry, kitchen and hallways, dates from c. 1770. The farm was lived in until 1966.

The Collection of Agricultural Equipment - Hvanneyri, Tel. 433 7000

The Collection of Agricultural Equipment The collection, which is affiliated with the Hvanneyri Agricultural College, includes a wide range of agricultural equipment. At the turn of the century Icelandic farmers began to use horse-driven machinery for agricultural improvements. The first tractors were imported to Iceland around 1920, along with horse-driven grass mowers and other haymaking equipment. These were replaced by much more advanced machinery in the wake of World War II. The Hvanneyri collection features a selection of agricultural machines from all these periods.

The Folk Museum - Hnjóti Örlygshöfn Patreksfjörður, Tel. 456 1511

At Hnjótur Documents local history of labour and Icelandic seafaring generally. Standing in front of the museum is a full-scale replica of a Viking ship, fashioned from an old fishing boat to commemorate the 1000th anniversary of the Settlement in 1974. The museum also houses "Mummi", a 12 tonne boat built in 1935. The history of aviation in Iceland is also being documented at Hnjótur.

The History House - Glaumbær Varmahlíð, Tel 453 6173

One of the museum exhibitions is housed in the ancient and historic Glaumbær farm. The farm buildings were built at different times, the most recent ones date from 1876-79. The kitchen is the oldest part, built ca. 1750. Together these buildings are a powerful reminder of 18th and 19th century life in the Icelandic countryside. The farm itself forms the backdrop for the display of various memorabilia from this time, though it was lived in until 1945. Other exhibitions are placed in different loacations as a timber house dated 1883 at Glaumbaer site, in a warehouse from 20th century at Saudarkrokur village and in an old building at the Emigration Center at Hofsos.

The Icelandic Saltfish Museum - Hafnargata 12a Grindavík, Tel. 420 1190

In the late 19th century salted fish was to Iceland what oil is to Saudi Arabia. Every summer people would flock to small villages scattered by the coastline to work in the processing of salted fish for export. As years went by the salted fish became representative of the nation's path to prosperity and was even used for as Iceland´s coat of arms until the beginning of the 20th century.

The Icelandic Wartime Museum - Reydarfjordur, Tel. 470 9063

An exhibition on the World War II era from an Icelandic viewpoint Hospital camp at Hæðargerði.

The Pompeii of the North - Westman Islands

Somewhere it says that, "A visitor who has not been to Vestmannaeyjar has not been to Iceland". Others say that Vestmannaeyjar is a world on its own, with unique natural beauty, abundant birdlife and irresistible charm. The islands are located in a young and active volcanic area, which erupted last during the Heimaey eruption of 1973. This year will see the rise of "The Pompeii of the North," where the plan is to dig up some of the houses which have been covered in volcanic ash since that eruption 32 years ago. This is an exciting project which tourists and scientists from all over the world are waiting anxiously to follow up on. In Vestmannaeyjar there is a large variety of accommodations, restaurants and pubs. There is also a well equipped sports center with swimming pool, hot tubs, sauna, gym and other sports facilities. Hiking paths trail through lava fields and up cliffs filled with puffins. Other places of interest and entertainment include museums, an aquarium and one of the best 18- hole golf courses in the country.

The Saga Museum - Perlan Reykjavík, Tel. 544 8086

The Saga Museum transports you to the Viking Age and brings back to life renowned figures and major events in Icelandic history. Visitors to the museum are guided through the museum's many attractions as well as through a chronological history of the country.

The Telecommunications Museum - Suðurgata Reykjavík, Tel. 550 6410

The museum was opened in this house, a former radiostation, on October 28, 1998. The Museum displays old telephones and telegraph equipment and the history of telephony in Iceland. The house was built as a coast radio station and started operation on June 17, 1918. Its main function was to service ships and as a backup for international contact trough the submarine cable from Scotland.

The Westman Islands Folk Museum - Ráðhúströð, Tel. 481 1194

A visit to the Folk Museum is a great chance to learn more about the history of the town. Shows about the daily life and fishery in Westman Islands as well as shows about the Heimaey and Surtsey eruptions.