Sagnheimar – Byggðasafn Vestmannaeyja

About the museum

The Vestmannaeyjar Local Heritage Museum traces its roots back to 1932, when Þorsteinn Þ. Víglundsson received the first object for the collection. He, Eyjólfur Gíslason from Bessastaðir and Árni Árnason, a telegraph operator, were the museum’s pioneers. The objects were at first kept in homes and in a school attic, but in 1964 the museum moved to the third floor of the Sparisjóðurinn (savings bank) building and was opened to the public.

When the eruption on Heimaey began in January 1973, the museum’s objects were shipped to the mainland in containers and stored at the National Museum. The museum was dedicated at its present location in the Safnahúsið on 15 April 1978, and after a major renovation in the winter of 2010–2011 it reopened on 2 July 2011 under the name Sagnheimar, byggðasafn (Sagnheimar Local Heritage Museum).

Today the museum is run by the Vestmannaeyjar municipality. The exhibitions cover the Heimaey eruption, fishing and seafaring in the harbour area with a bait shed and a fishermen’s lodging (verbúð), the Turkish Raid of 1627, Þjóðhátíð, women, the Mormons and more. There is also an exhibition on the composer Oddgeir Kristjánsson and a collection of stuffed birds given to the museum by Ólafur Tryggvason (Olli málari).

Highlights

• The Heimaey eruption of 1973
• Harbour area with a bait shed and a fishermen’s lodging
• The Turkish Raid of 1627
• Þjóðhátíð tent and exhibition on Oddgeir Kristjánsson
• Bird collection of Olli málari
• Pirate cave for children

Permanent exhibitions

• Heimaeyjargosið – Exhibition on the volcanic eruption that began in the early hours of 23 January 1973 and the escape of nearly all of Heimaey’s residents.
• Sjávarútvegur og bryggjusvæði – In the harbour area, the seafaring and fish processing of the islanders are presented, along with harbour construction and boatbuilding, including a bait shed and a fishermen’s lodging.
• Tyrkjaránið – An account of the arrival of pirates on Heimaey in summer 1627 and its consequences for the residents.

Founded

1932

Operated by

Vestmannaeyjabær

Admission & discounts

Admission ISK 1,350 for people aged 18 and over; senior citizens (67+) and groups (10 or more) pay ISK 1,050. Education for school groups is free of charge.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Sagnheimar is on the second floor of the Safnahúsið. A ramp leads into the building and a lift connects the floors; the exhibition areas are on one level and wheelchair-accessible.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations

The museum has a pirate cave where children can dress up as pirates and go on a treasure hunt.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in the Safnahúsið on Ráðhúströð in the town of Vestmannaeyjar on Heimaey.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit