Saga Center, South Region, Iceland
4.0 (86 reviews) Spent Ranking #5 in Hvolsvollur Speciality Museums
Free, interesting, and speedy way to learn about Njal's Saga-- also Viking-looking restaurant
FREE! We stopped by and was glad to see the Saga Center still open due to not seeing new reviews and difficulties finding the sight online. However, it is still open, although the tapestry has been completed and is not there. This place walks you through several nicely done exhibits that highlight the Njal's Saga with a short synopsis in Icelandic and English at each stop. This can save you hours of actually reading the saga itself. There is also a dress-up area where you can dress like a Viking. I highly recommend this Saga Center and others around Iceland to be able to zip through the "Cliff's Notes" of these LONG sagas. This stop focuses on Njal's Saga (the longest of the Sagas) since the saga happened in this area of Iceland. It took us about 45 minutes to read all of the exhibits. Nicely done and FREE! Also, the Saga Center is attached to a nice, big restaurant called the Valhalla Restaurant that looks like a Viking Hall--nice woodwork!
Address
Hlídarvegur, 860 , Hvolsvollur, Iceland.
Mobile
Website
http://www.njala.is/en
Current local date and time now
Sunday, May 12, 2024, 18:33
User Ratings
4.0 based on (86 reviews)
Reviews
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5KarenCinSF 5:00 PM Sep 10, 2016
Worth stopping by on your ring road drive
Much more robust and interesting museum than we had expected. Outlined one of the Icelandic sagas in detail, but wasn't boring. Fun costumes to dress up in. Overall a nice way to dip your toe into the cultural aspects of Iceland. Recommend taking the time to check it out. It was also one of the more affordable things to do in Iceland, which was nice.
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5NorthernWanderlust 5:00 PM Jul 6, 2016
Best Depiction of the Sagas in Iceland
The Saga Center was our favourite museum in Iceland; I honestly don't know why it's so rarely visited. We found it so fascinating; a definite highlight of the trip. Located between Selfoss and Vik right off the Ring Road, it's an easy addition to any trip along the South Coast. The Saga Center tells the tale of Njall's Saga, a piece of Icelandic history that is as Shakespearean as it is Viking. A true story, it deals with revenge, love, family, and the intricacies of old Viking law, told through the rise and fall of two friends. It's based on real events too. The exhibit starts off discussing life in early Iceland, from day-to-day activities to the intricacies of the Thing. It then starts getting into the Saga, displaying weapons and clothing mentioned in the Saga, as well as the symbolism and interpretation that has since been applied to it. While it's a local Saga, it also seemed quite prominent throughout Iceland. If you're at all curious about early Icelandic or Viking culture, this museum/centre is an absolute must - and worth the admission fee of around $14. The other half of the museum though, dedicated to the town's former cooperative, is all in Icelandic and quite dull. Skip that. However, the tapestry they are weaving based on the saga is pretty fun to see at the back of the center.
