Sögusetur íslenska hestsins

About the museum

Sögusetur íslenska hestsins (Icelandic Horse History Centre) was founded at Hólar in Hjaltadalur on 9 June 2001 by Hestamiðstöð Íslands (the Icelandic Horse Centre), Byggðasafn Skagfirðinga (the Skagafjörður Local History Museum) and Hólar University. In 2006 it became an independent foundation. The centre describes itself as an international centre of knowledge and education about the Icelandic horse and shares that knowledge through lectures, publications, articles, digital media and exhibitions.

The exhibition “Íslenski hesturinn” (The Icelandic Horse) takes visitors back in time to show the horse’s role in the nation’s history. It uses stage sets, films, videos and objects. The exhibition was made in cooperation with the Skagafjörður Local History Museum, and the objects are on loan from there and from private individuals. Theodorsstofa is dedicated to the memory of Theodór Arnbjörnsson, former adviser on horse breeding.

In 2025 the exhibition “Hesturinn okkar: Litbrigði, ættir og saga” (Our Horse: Colours, Lineage and History) opened on the upper floor. It covers the colours of the Icelandic horse and objects connected with well-known horses and people. Visitors can also try virtual reality goggles with Horses of Iceland. The audio guide for the exhibitions was made with a grant from the cultural fund of KS.

Highlights

• The exhibition “Íslenski hesturinn” with stage sets, films and objects
• Theodorsstofa in memory of Theodór Arnbjörnsson
• Virtual reality goggles with Horses of Iceland
• Audio guide for the exhibitions
• Located at Hólar in Hjaltadalur

Permanent exhibitions

• Íslenski hesturinn – The exhibition traces the history of the Icelandic horse and its significance in a historical context, using stage sets, films, videos and objects. It was made in cooperation with the Skagafjörður Local History Museum.
• Theodorsstofa – A room in honour of Theodór Arnbjörnsson, former horse breeding adviser.

Founded

2001

Operated by

Sögusetur íslenska hestsins ses.

Admission & discounts

Prices as listed on the centre’s website for 2026.

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