Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
A view of Brașov’s Old Town.
Romania • 12 days, 11 nights
Legends of Romania: Castles, Ruins & Culinary Delights
from
Balkans road trip
Bosnia and Herzegovina • 9 days, 8 nights
Balkans Road Trip: Serbia, Croatia & Bosnia and Herzegovina
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
The ‘Old Secretariat’ government building in New Delhi.
The 'Old Secretariat'
This set is inspired by a Roman arena.
Bozdağ Film Platolari
The Sea Water Distilling Plant.
Sea Water Distilling Plant
Contemplative paths.
Ayo Rock Formations
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
The pavlova comes crowned with jewel-like fruit.
Central Park Boathouse
The Village Tavern of Long Grove - exterior.
The Village Tavern
Hunter House Hamburgers
L’Escamoteur
Names on the bartop.
The Dive
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Wortley built the wooden backpack she used while retracing Alexandra David-Néel’s journey from a chair she found on the street in London.
How Elise Wortley Climbed Mont Blanc in 1830s Women’s Attire
24 days ago
Simplicity is key: Just a slice of bread with a sprinkling of salt and pepper is the perfect accompaniment.
The Sweet Second Life of Creole Cream Cheese
24 days ago
My rendition of frog legs, popping mushroom curry, pad prik khing with salted egg yolk, and sweet khanom thuai.
Recreating My Favorite Meal From Thailand
24 days ago
Inside London’s Gorgeously Curated ‘Art Restaurants’
24 days ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Iceland Eyrarbakki Arnessyla Heritage Museum

Arnessyla Heritage Museum

This collection of several museums includes one of the oldest structures in Iceland.

Eyrarbakki, Iceland

Added By
Jim Miller
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
Bedroom inside the House   dumbBunny / Atlas Obscura User
Bedroom inside the House   dumbBunny / Atlas Obscura User
Antique Display   dumbBunny / Atlas Obscura User
Rotating Art exhibit inside the house.   dumbBunny / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

The Árnessýsla Heritage Museum comprises several museums, including one of the oldest structures in Iceland, the House of Eyrarbakki, and the Maritime Museum. Located just 37 miles (60 kilometers) from Reykjavik, these museums are located in the seaside village of Eyrarbakki, once the commercial center of Iceland for many years.

The House of Eyrabakki was established in 1765 when it was transported to Iceland in kit form. At a time when most Icelandic houses were made of turf, "the House" as it is commonly known, was the only wooden house in town. Also known as the Merchants House, it was an important center of culture and commerce in Iceland's history. Today it houses exhibits from the 18th and 19th centuries, including exhibits on travelers to North America.

The Maritime Museum tells the story of the fisherman and shipbuilders who contributed so much to Iceland's development. Located in the center of the museum is the ship, Farsæll, built in the early 1900s.

Admission to one gains visitors access to all the museums. For those who want to take a break from Iceland's many outdoor activities, this is a very well-curated and preserved picture of Iceland's past. 

Related Tags

Maritime History History & Culture Museums

Know Before You Go

There is free parking out front.

Atlas Obscura Adventures

Iceland in Summer: Journey through the South Coast & the Westman Islands

Explore Iceland's Myths, Wonders, & Landscapes.

Book Now

Community Contributors

Added By

dumbBunny

Published

January 25, 2023

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Arnessyla Heritage Museum
50 Eyrargata
Eyrarbakki, 820
Iceland
63.864647, -21.154189
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Draugasetrid

Stokkseyri, Iceland

miles away

Öndvegissúlur

Selfoss, Iceland

miles away

Grave of Bobby Fischer

Iceland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Iceland

Iceland

Europe

Places 149
Stories 41

Nearby Places

Draugasetrid

Stokkseyri, Iceland

miles away

Öndvegissúlur

Selfoss, Iceland

miles away

Grave of Bobby Fischer

Iceland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Iceland

Iceland

Europe

Places 149
Stories 41

Related Places

  • Savannah, Georgia

    WEBB Military Museum

    At this privately owned collection, conflicts are humanized through soldiers’ personal belongings.

    Sponsored by Visit Savannah
  • Odawara, Japan

    Suzuhiro Kamaboko Museum

    Dedicated to the history and culture of Japanese fishcake, this museum invites you to take part in its kamaboko-making workshop.

  • One of the galleries in the modern section of the Manchester Jewish Museum.

    Manchester, England

    Manchester Jewish Museum

    A Victorian synagogue-turned-museum chronicles centuries of Jewish life.

  • Portumna, Ireland

    Irish Workhouse Centre

    A well-preserved, 19th-century Irish workhouse recounts a grim time in the country’s history.

  • The Star of India on her 150th anniversary sail.

    San Diego, California

    Star of India at The Maritime Museum of San Diego

    The world’s oldest active sailing ship.

  • Manjira

    Meknes, Morocco

    Dar Jamai Museum

    A museum dedicated to the musical instruments used in traditional Moroccan music.

  • Reproduction of an eviction scene.

    County Donegal, Ireland

    Doagh Famine Village

    Once part of a living village, these buildings now house exhibits showcasing historical aspects of life in Ireland.

  • Objects made by incarcerated political prisoners.

    Belfast, Northern Ireland

    Eileen Hickey Irish Republican History Museum

    Documenting the nationalist movement in Northern Ireland, with an emphasis on the history of political prisoners.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.