Snartarstaðir
Local heritage museum of North Þingeyjarsýsla in an old school about 1 km from Kópasker, with textiles, books and tools.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Collecting objects in North Þingeyjarsýsla began around 1950, when traditional rural life was disappearing and everyday objects were being lost. In 1959 Ragnar Ásgeirsson, adviser to the Icelandic Agricultural Society (Búnaðarfélag Íslands), travelled around the farms of the county collecting objects, with mixed reception. The objects were kept in various places until an old school was turned into a museum in 1991.
The local heritage museum is at Snartarstaðir, about 1 km from Kópasker, and is run by Menningarmiðstöð Þingeyinga (Cultural Centre of Þingeyjarsýsla). It holds over 2,000 objects.
The main collections are handicrafts, weaving, knitwear and women’s national costumes, mostly from the 20th century, and the library of around 9,000 volumes of Helgi and Andrea of Leirhöfn. There are also hunting guns, ironwork and woodworking tools, household items, a fire pump, homemade toys and carved animal figures, as well as hat samples and the tools of Helgi of Leirhöfn.
Highlights
- Over 2,000 objects from North Þingeyjarsýsla
- Handicrafts, weaving, knitwear and women’s national costumes
- Library of around 9,000 volumes from Helgi and Andrea of Leirhöfn
- Tools, hunting guns and homemade toys
Permanent exhibition
- Byggðasafn Norður-Þingeyinga – Over 2,000 objects: handicrafts and national costumes, the library of Helgi and Andrea of Leirhöfn, tools, hunting guns and homemade toys.
- Founded
- 1991
- Operated by
- Menningarmiðstöð Þingeyinga
Admission & discounts
| Adults | ISK 1,600 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | ISK 1,200Senior citizens and students (on presentation of a card) |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 15 · Children under 16 enter free. |
| Seniors | ISK 1,200 |
| Visitors with disabilities | freePeople with disabilities enter free on presentation of a card. |
| Students & apprentices | ISK 1,200 |
| Groups (10+ people) | ISK 1,400 per personPer person for groups of 10 or more. |
The Samkort pass for all sites of Menningarmiðstöð Þingeyinga costs ISK 2,300 (senior citizens and students ISK 1,800) and is valid once at each site in 2026. Free for people with disabilities (on presentation of a card), children under 16 and members of FÍSOS and ICOM (on presentation of a card).
Accessibility
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Kids & families
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Getting there & parking
The museum is in an old school building about 1 km from Kópasker.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
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Events & venue rental
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