The National Museum

Regardless when you visit Iceland don`t forget a trip to the National Museum, which will leave you fully enlightened about the creation of the Icelandic nation and it´s history.

Displays at the National Museum present an excellent overview of Iceland’s history and culture. The museum offers a variety of fascinating exhibitions and one permanent display illustrating lavishly the story of Iceland’s past, from the medieval days of Viking settlements to current contemporary culture.

The strongest section delves into the Settlement Era, with swords, silver hoards and a great little bronze model of Thor on display. However, the most treasured artefact in the museum is a beautiful 13th-century church door, carved with the touching story of a knight and his faithful lion. Upstairs, you really get a sense of the country’s poverty over the following 600 years.

Simple, homey artefacts utilise every scrap; check out the gaming pieces made from cod ear bones, and the wooden doll that doubled as a kitchen utensil.

Information

The National Museum in Iceland
Suðurgata 41
101 Reykjavík
Reykjavik, Capital Region
Iceland
Web
thjodminjasafn.is


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Coordinates
  • Lattitude: 64.142039
  • Longitude: -21.947742