Landnámssetur Íslands

About the museum

The Icelandic Settlement Centre (Landnámssetur Íslands) opened on 13 May 2006 in Borgarnes. The idea for the centre came from the couple Kjartan Ragnarsson and Sigríður Margrét Guðmundsdóttir in the summer of 2003, and under the original plan they were to run it. The municipality of Borgarbyggð supported its establishment and paid for the first operating years, the West Iceland Cultural Council contributed, and companies sponsored the making of the exhibitions.

The centre is housed in the two oldest buildings in the town, connected by a new building designed by architect Sigríður Sigþórsdóttir. The merchant's house was built in 1877–1878. The Pakkhúsið (Warehouse), the storehouse next to it, was built later and came into the ownership of the municipality in 1970. The merchant's house was restored in 1995, and a restaurant has been run there since 1997.

The centre has two permanent exhibitions. The Settlement Exhibition tells of the voyages of the Norsemen across the open sea, the reasons why they left their home lands and what awaited the first settlers, up to the founding of the Althing in 930. The Egil Exhibition is in the half-sunken stone cellar of the Warehouse and traces the story of the poet and Viking Egill Skallagrímsson through a dark labyrinth where scenes from the saga are carved in wood. Both exhibitions have audio guides.

The building also has a restaurant, a shop with Icelandic design and books on the history and nature of the country, and the theatre space Söguloft, where plays are staged.

Highlights

• Settlement exhibition on the voyages and settlement of Iceland up to the founding of the Althing in 930
• Egil Exhibition in the dark stone cellar of the Warehouse, with carved scenes from the saga
• Model of the ship Íslandsfari by Gunnar Marel Eggertsson
• Audio guide in 15 languages and a special guide for children in Icelandic
• Restaurant, shop and theatre performances in Söguloft

Permanent exhibitions

• Landnámssýningin – Exhibition on the voyages of the Norsemen, the reasons for the settlement and the first settlers up to the founding of the Althing in 930. About 30 minutes with audio guide.
• Egilssýningin – Carved scenes from Egil's Saga Skallagrímsson in the dark stone cellar of the Warehouse. About 30 minutes with audio guide.

Founded

2006

Admission & discounts

The price covers both exhibitions and includes the audio guide.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

Special audio guide for children in Icelandic. The Egil Exhibition is in a dark space, but many children find it exciting. Children aged 6–12 pay a lower price.

Getting there & parking

The centre is in the lower part of the old town of Borgarnes, about five minutes' drive from the Ring Road, on the left just before the bridge to Brákarey.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop

The restaurant in the merchant's house is open every day, with a soup and vegetable buffet from 11:30–15:00. Shop with Icelandic design and books. Meeting facilities are available.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Meeting facilities and the theatre space Söguloft.

Plan your visit