The National Museum of Iceland, Thjodminjasafn Islands, was established on 24 February 1863. Its permanent exhibition covers roughly 1200 years of Icelandic cultural history and presents around 2,000 objects in time order. The museum has occupied its building at Sudurgata 41 in Reykjavik since 1950.
A brief history of the National Museum of Iceland
The museum began as the Antiquarian Collection and took the name National Museum of Iceland in 1911. Jon Arnason was the first curator of the Icelandic collection, previously kept in Danish museums. Since 1950, the museum has occupied its building at Sudurgata 41 in Reykjavik.
Making of a Nation: the permanent exhibition
The permanent exhibition, Making of a Nation, tells the story of Iceland from the settlement to the present day. It is a chronological journey through roughly 1200 years of Icelandic cultural history. The display presents around 2,000 objects arranged in time order.
Star artefacts: the Valthjofsstadur door and the bronze Thor
The Valthjofsstadur church door is a Romanesque carved pinewood door dated to around 1200. Its carved roundels depict a medieval knight-and-lion legend along with interlaced dragons.
A small bronze figure about 6.7 cm tall, often interpreted as Thor holding his hammer, was found in north Iceland.
Where it sits: Sudurgata and the university quarter
The museum stands at Sudurgata 41 in central Reykjavik, next to the University of Iceland.
Why it works as a rainy-day culture stop
The museum has a museum shop and cafe on site. Audioguides are offered in multiple languages. For a fuller day of indoor culture it pairs well with the open-air heritage buildings at Arbaer or the nature exhibits and viewing deck at Perlan.
Visiting the National Museum and pairing it with a Reykjavik tour
The National Museum of Iceland is in central Reykjavik at Sudurgata 41. For tour comparisons in the city, see Reykjavik tours.
Plan what to pack
Check the Iceland Packing List while preparing for The National Museum of Iceland in Reykjavik, then adapt it to the forecast and your activity.
