One of my personal favorites
Out of all the museum you could go to while you’re staying in Reykjavík this is the one that I would say you can´t miss. A big part of our history is connected to our harbors and fish. This museum shows you that part. Inside you can find few exhibitions that will stay with you even after you leave the museum. “From poverty to abundance” is one of the main exhibitions and show the story behind the fishery in Iceland. “For Cod´s Sake” is my favorite! There they show you the story behind our battle with Britain over fishing rights in the northern Atlantik. They took place over the years of 1958-1976. So while the US and Russia were fighting the Cold war over intelligence, we were fighting this war of our own. But keep in mind that Iceland does not have and never has had an army. We fought this with the vessels that we had at our disposal and did the best we could.
Outside of the museum is one of our old Coast Guard vessels – Óðinn. The vessel participated in all of the Cod wars and is kept in the same condition as when it came to the museum in 2008. On the front of the ship is one cannon, a 57mm one. In the rear is the weapon used in the cod war. So-called line-cutters, in short, they would sail close to the back of the ships and cut their fishing lines to stop them from fishing.
The museum is located within walking distance from the city-center in a location called grandinn. Grandinn is where the old fishery huts are, where they used to fix their nets and get ready for heading out to sea. There are also a few more things close by worth looking at to use the trip.
Here you can find how to walk there from our signature house called Harpa Concert Hall.
There is a reason why I make it go closer to the seaside rather than going the road. On your way there you will walk past some of our histories as well. You walk past our fleemarket (Kolaportið), alongside the old harbor and from there into an area we call in Icelandic “slippurinn”. Slippurinn is where they repair ships and it´s still being used. There is just something about seeing these huge vessels on dry land.
Just walk a little bit around the area, Grandinn, and you will find some fun things to see, good food, ice cream and Icelandic jewelry. My personal favorite there is Valdís, there you will get one of the best ice cream in Iceland.
