Þjóðminjasafn Íslands

About the museum

The museum was founded on 24 February 1863 as the Antiquities Collection (Forngripasafn). Its first holding was fifteen objects given by Helgi Sigurðsson of Jörfi. Jón Árnason, a librarian, took charge of the collection, and Sigurður Guðmundsson, a painter who had first raised the idea, was appointed second curator. Until 1908 the museum was housed in various places in Reykjavík. Legislation on the protection of ancient monuments was passed in 1907, and Matthías Þórðarson became the first National Curator. In 1911 the museum was given the name Þjóðminjasafn Íslands.

From 1908 to 1950 the museum was on the upper floor of the National Library on Hverfisgata, in a building now called Safnahúsið. After the founding of the Republic in 1944, the Althing decided to build a dedicated museum building, and in 1950 the museum moved into the house on Suðurgata. In 1930 Iceland received about 200 objects from Denmark on the occasion of the Althing millennial celebration. After 1950 the museum began collecting everyday objects, and from the 1970s it also collected objects from the history of technology.

The house on Suðurgata was renovated from 1998, and an extension was built to the south of it in 2004. The museum reopened on 1 September 2004 with a new permanent exhibition and temporary exhibitions. In 2006 it received a special award in the European Museum of the Year competition and an accessibility prize from Sjálfsbjörg. The current National Curator is Harpa Þórsdóttir. The museum also runs the house at Keldur on Rangárvellir.

Highlights

• Thor figure from around the year 1000, only 6.7 cm tall
• The Valþjófsstaður door, a carved church door from 1175–1200
• The Guðbrandur Bible from 1584
• Draflastaður textiles, refilsaumur embroidery from 1400–1500
• Sigurlaug of Ás's skautbúningur, a festive costume, from 1860
• Audio guide in ten languages and exhibition texts in Braille

Permanent exhibition

• Þjóð verður til: Menning og samfélag í 1200 ár – The permanent exhibition traces Icelandic cultural history from the settlement to the present day in chronological order and features key objects such as the Thor figure and the Valþjófsstaður door.

Founded

1863

Director

Harpa Þórsdóttir

Admission & discounts

The adult ticket, ISK 3,300, also serves as an annual pass.

Accessibility

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

The museum is wheelchair accessible, and wheelchairs can be borrowed at reception. Lifts are in the entrance hall and in the exhibition space at the north end of the building. The exhibition map and all exhibition texts are in Braille. Disabled parking spaces are at the museum.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Stroller-friendly

Children under 18 enter free. The audio guide for children is available in Icelandic and English, and pushchairs can be borrowed at reception. The museum welcomes school groups and offers educational materials.

Getting there & parking

The museum is at Suðurgata 41 in Reykjavík.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers

The museum shop sells replicas of archaeological finds, Icelandic jewellery, books and gifts, and also runs an online shop. The museum café is temporarily closed. Cloakroom and lockers for bags and backpacks are in the basement, reached by lift and stairs.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Up to 56 guests.

A lecture hall with seating for 56 guests, which can be increased. The room has a computer, a projector and a whiteboard, and lectures can be recorded. Refreshments are served in the corridor outside the room. Weekday rental costs ISK 65,000 for one to two hours. Enquiries: bokun@thjodminjasafn.is.

Plan your visit