The Icelanders call their national museum a place where the Nordic sagas are closely intertwined with real history. The exhibition, located in a building that is huge by the island's standards, covers the country's history from the first humans to the present day and gives an excellent idea of life in the "Ice Land" in the middle of the ocean. It is undoubtedly a "must-visit," as it holds some of the country's most valuable treasures.
What to see
The main exhibition of the museum is about the settlement era of Iceland. Among its artefacts are swords, drinking horns, treasures of silver, a bronze figure of Thor, and the Gudbrandur Bible, published in 1584. The 13th-century wooden canvas is covered with an openwork painting telling the story of a knight who kills a dragon and frees a lion, the beast subsequently becoming his companion.
Another exhibition focuses on the history of Iceland from 1600 to the present. It tells about the struggle against foreigners, which ended with the country's independence in 1944. Also you can see there folk costumes, models of traditional houses, furniture, an exact copy of fishing schooner, silverware and even toys made of fish bones.
The museum has a large souvenir store with the best selection of gifts in town and a coffee shop.
Practical information
Address: 41 Sudurgata, Reykjavik.
Getting there: Take buses 1, 3, 6, 14, 55, 101, 103 and 106 to the Haskoli Islands stop.