Pakkhús

About the museum

The Pakkhús in Ólafsvík is an old trading house built in 1844. It is one of the few 19th-century trading houses still standing, and it was protected on 31 August 1970 by the minister of education of the time. At first the house was a storehouse, but later a shop was run there where people exchanged news and opinions and could buy a dram of merchant's brennivín, which was kept under the counter.

Ólafsvík is considered the oldest trading place in the country, because in 1687 the king recognised it as a trading place by special decree. The ground floor of the building has housed a shop, a craft outlet and a general store.

The local heritage museum is on the middle floor, where visitors can experience an ordinary Icelandic household of the 19th century and learn about the work and way of life of fishermen in earlier centuries. In the attic is the exhibition Krambúðarloftið, which bears witness to Icelandic trading history and shows various goods that were traded, such as salt cod and rubber shoes.

Highlights

• Protected trading house from 1844 in the oldest trading place in the country
• Local heritage museum with an Icelandic household from the 19th century
• The exhibition Krambúðarloftið on Icelandic trading history
• Insight into the work and way of life of fishermen
• Shop on the ground floor with woollen goods, local handicrafts and Icelandic design

Permanent exhibitions

• Byggðasafnið á miðhæð – An ordinary Icelandic household of the 19th century and an insight into the work and way of life of fishermen in earlier centuries.
• Krambúðarloftið – An exhibition in the attic on Icelandic trading history, with goods that were traded, such as salt cod and rubber shoes.

Admission & discounts

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Accessibility

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Kids & families

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Getting there & parking

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Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

The shop on the ground floor sells woollen goods, local handicrafts and Icelandic design.

Events & venue rental

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