Glaumbær Museum

Owned by the National Museum of Iceland, Glaumbær Museum is quite different from other museums you might have visited. This turf-roofed attraction provides you with a unique possibility to see old Icelandic architecture created years ago with materials available at the time. This preserved and protected place is open to the public so that more people can learn about Icelandic history.

Where is Glaumbær Museum located?

The museum is situated on farmland in the Skagafjörður region, North Iceland.

Full address: 561 Glaumbær, Iceland.

How to get to Glaumbær Museum?

It takes 300 kilometers to reach the farm from the capital’s city center and 344 kilometers from Keflavík International Airport. If you’re visiting the capital of the North of Iceland, Akureyri, then it will take you an hour by car to reach Glaumbær.

What is Glaumbær Museum known for?

This attraction is popular for allowing visitors to see how Iceland’s people lived back in the past. Back in the day, Icelanders struggled with building supplies such as timber and thus found a great way to use turf to build homes. Even though no one lives in these turf houses any longer, they still stand and show people’s wisdom and experience in finding a way out of challenging situations.

History of Glaumbær Museum

Glaumbær Farm is known to be the home to Snorri Þorfinnsson, who lived here in the 11th century. Snorri Þorfinnsson is recognized as the first European person to be born in North America.

In the farmhouse that consists of 13 buildings, each serving a different purpose, you can find a common room where residents would eat and sleep, a kitchen and pantry, guestrooms, and storage rooms. Everything is connected by passages.

You’ll also find a few wooden houses on the museum grounds that serve as an office, a gift shop, and an exhibition hall.

Interesting facts about Glaumbær Museum

People lived in turf houses up until 1947. After, it was announced a protected site.
Since 1952, the turf house has become a museum.
Glaumbær Museum consists of 13 buildings, the last one being built back in 1879.

Attractions nearby Glaumbær Museum

Guðríður Þorbjarnardóttir Monument – a statue of explorer Guðríður Þorbjarnardóttir, a woman who was known as a keen traveler, having gone on eight sea journeys and gone through Europe twice. Here, she’s depicted with her son Snorri.
Glaumbær Church (Glaumbaejarkirkja) – The first church building in Glaumbær, now seen as it is, was built in 1926.
Fosslaug Hot Spring – a hot spring that’s known to be a peaceful place where the water stays warm and the surrounding area is ready to take your breath away
Reykjafoss – The waterfall located in Skagafjörður, on the river Huseyjarkvisl, falls 20 meters, creating a mesmerizing, foggy view.
Hvitserkur – Also known as the troll of Northwest Iceland, this basalt rock stack, 15 meters in height, can be found in Húnaflói Bay.