Explore rare Icelandic books with Thor, the guardian, and delve into Norse mythology’s roots. A unique, hands-on literary journey awaits.
Explore rare Icelandic books with Thor, the guardian, and delve into Norse mythology’s roots. A unique, hands-on literary journey awaits.
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Laugavegur 65 - Participate in an open group exhibition that vividly showcases Iceland’s cultural heritage through the timeless Icelandic sagas.
The event begins with the tale of the Old Icelandic Books project, detailing its origins from a single book and its role in preserving Icelandic cultural heritage. Guided by an expert storyteller, visitors…
- Laugavegur 65 - Participate in an open group exhibition that vividly showcases Iceland’s cultural heritage through the timeless Icelandic sagas.
The event begins with the tale of the Old Icelandic Books project, detailing its origins from a single book and its role in preserving Icelandic cultural heritage. Guided by an expert storyteller, visitors are introduced to the sagas as dynamic historical sources, texts that underpin the global understanding of Norse mythology, Viking beliefs, and the realities of life during the Viking era.
The exhibition delves into how these extraordinary narratives preserve stories of exploration, law and honor, conflict, poetry, and daily life in medieval Iceland.
Through engaging explanations and close interaction with rare historical materials, guests gain insight into how the sagas were written, why they endured, and how they influenced global perceptions of Vikings beyond Scandinavia.
- Experience rare books up close
- Experience rare books up close
What sets Old Icelandic Books apart is its genuine nature and uniqueness. It is the sole location in the nation where individuals can engage with these rare books and manuscripts.
This is not your typical museum display encased in glass.
Visitors have the chance to see authentic antiquarian Icelandic books and manuscripts—artifacts that have endured…
What sets Old Icelandic Books apart is its genuine nature and uniqueness. It is the sole location in the nation where individuals can engage with these rare books and manuscripts.
This is not your typical museum display encased in glass.
Visitors have the chance to see authentic antiquarian Icelandic books and manuscripts—artifacts that have endured through centuries in a country where literature became a cornerstone of national identity.
The experience is both intimate and personal. It is led by Thor, the custodian of the books, who personally restores them, providing firsthand insights into preservation, provenance, and historical context.
The collection is closely tied to the literary tradition that produced works like the ‘Prose Edda’ and ‘the Poetic Edda’, texts that have shaped the global understanding of Norse mythology and influenced authors such as J.R.R. Tolkien and composers like Richard Wagner.
The experience merges scholarship, restoration expertise, and cultural richness.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
