Sauðfjársetur á Ströndum

About the museum

Sauðfjársetur á Ströndum (Sheep Farming Centre of the Strandir) came into being at a meeting at Sævangur on 10 February 2002, when a volunteer association for the centre was founded after more than a year of preparation. The aim was to strengthen employment, settlement, cultural activity and tourism in the Strandir region. An old community hall that had been little used was given a new role as a museum and cultural centre. In the first years the exhibition was only shown in summer at Sævangur and moved to Hólmavík over the winter.

The museum soon received recognition and grants from the Museum Fund (Safnasjóður), and in 2007 the association acquired two thirds of the building at Sævangur. The municipality of Strandabyggð later contributed its share, on condition that cultural activity continued. In 2009 the foundation Sauðfjársetur á Ströndum took over all operations and property on the advice of the Museum Council (Safnaráð), and it has run the museum all year since then.

The current basic exhibition, “Sauðfé og sveitafólk á Ströndum” (Sheep and Country People of the Strandir), opened in 2018 and replaced the earlier exhibition from 2002. It covers sheep farming from many angles, such as lambing, haymaking, ownership marks and ear tags, sheep gathering and round-ups, wool processing and slaughter. Fewer objects were displayed to make it easier for people with reduced mobility to move around, and more emphasis is placed on games and information for children. The centre also includes the café Kaffi Kind, a craft and souvenir shop, and the Náttúrubarnaskólinn (Nature Children’s School).

Highlights

• The basic exhibition “Sauðfé og sveitafólk á Ströndum” with objects, many photographs and a documentary film
• Children’s corner with toys and puzzle windows
• Things to try out, such as holding a scythe (orf) or weighing yourself on a sheep scale
• Kaffi Kind with home-baked pastries and a view over Steingrímsfjörður
• Sjávarslóð, an easy walking path with information boards and sculptures next to the museum

Permanent exhibitions

• Sauðfé og sveitafólk á Ströndum – Basic exhibition on sheep farming, from lambing and haymaking to round-ups, wool processing and the slaughter season, with objects, photographs, a documentary film and a children’s corner.
• Sjávarslóð – A short, easy walking path (about 500 m) from Sævangur out to Orrustutangi, with 16 information boards, sculptures by Arngrímur Sigurðsson and benches. The path was opened on 17 June 2020.

Founded

2002

Operated by

Sauðfjársetur á Ströndum ses.

Admission & discounts

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• 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

The exhibition was redesigned in 2018 and objects were reduced in number to make it easier for people with reduced mobility to move around.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Playground / play area

The exhibition focuses on games and information for children, with a children’s corner, toys and puzzle windows. Visitors can try out various things in the exhibition.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in the Sævangur community hall at Innstrandavegur 68, about 12 km south of Hólmavík and close to the junction with Djúpvegur (Route 61).

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Kaffi Kind is the museum’s café and seats up to 40 people at once. At Sævangur there is also a craft and souvenir shop and a small kiosk.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Sævangur can be rented for meetings, parties, courses and other gatherings, both in summer and winter.

Plan your visit