Gamla bókabúðin á Flateyri
The oldest original shop in the country, dating from 1914, in Flateyri, with second-hand books and a merchant's flat unchanged since 1950.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Gamla bókabúðin á Flateyri (Old Bookshop in Flateyri) is formally called Verslunin Bræðurnir Eyjólfsson and was founded in 1914. It has been run by the same family for four generations. The house was built in 1898, and the fittings and equipment are almost unchanged from when the shop began trading there. Even the old account books are preserved and on display in the shop.
Behind the shop is the merchant's flat of Jón, the founder of the shop, and his wife Guðrún, who moved there in 1915. The flat has remained unchanged since Jón died in 1950. Furniture, the kitchen, old books and everyday objects are still in place and give visitors a rare glimpse of the household life of a merchant family in the first half of the 20th century.
In the shop you can meet the family and buy second-hand books by weight, Icelandic books and stories in English and other languages, local products and rare items from firms that are themselves more than a hundred years old. The family also runs a branch in central Reykjavík, but the original shop is in Flateyri.
Highlights
- The country's oldest original shop, founded in 1914 in a house from 1898
- The merchant's flat, unchanged since Jón died in 1950
- Old fittings, shop equipment and account books on display
- Second-hand books sold by weight and books in many languages
- Free entry to the shop and the flat
Permanent exhibition
- Kaupmannsíbúðin – The flat of the merchant couple Jón and Guðrún behind the shop, unchanged since 1950, with furniture, kitchen, books and everyday objects.
- Founded
- 1914
- Operated by
- Verslunin Bræðurnir Eyjólfsson (fjölskyldufyrirtæki)
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Entry to the shop and the merchant's flat is free during opening hours.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By car
Free parking
Free roadside parking in front.
Flateyri is small and everything is within walking distance.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
The shop sells second-hand books, Icelandic books, local products and other goods.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Good to know | The fittings and objects are original and delicate, so please take care with backpacks in the narrow aisles and do not sit on the furniture. |
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