Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

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 Bíldudalur Skrímslasetrið

Skrímslasetrið

The Icelandic Sea Monster Museum explores the area's history of aquatic cryptid sightings.

Bíldudalur, Iceland

Added By
Eric Grundhauser
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
Skrímslasetrið, The Icelandic Sea Monster Museum   skrimsli.is
Skrímslasetrið, The Icelandic Sea Monster Museum   skrimsli.is
Skrímslasetrið, The Icelandic Sea Monster Museum   skrimsli.is
Skrímslasetrið, The Icelandic Sea Monster Museum   skrimsli.is
1590 map of Iceland with sea monsters   Austrian National Library
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Tale of monstrous sea beasts have been blowing in from the cold seas off the shores of Iceland for centuries and a small fjord town that still reports regular sightings has established a museum to the history of these mythical cryptids.

Using videos, displays, advanced multimedia, and an atmosphere of eerie mystery, Arnarfjörður's Skrímslasetrið museum delves into the history of Iceland's sea monsters using the oral histories of those that have encountered them. Visitors can listen to eyewitness accounts, or view displays and literature exploring the history of such monsters. There is even an interactive table where amateur monster hunters can explore a map of Iceland's coast, following pop-up stories of the monsters seen at various points.  

While reports of sea monsters greatly vary, there are four basic types that the museum says are endemic to the waters surrounding Iceland. Known as the the fjörulalli (Shore Laddie), the hafmaður (Sea Man), the skeljaskrímsli (Shell Monster) and the faxaskrímsli (Combed Monster/Sea Horse), each of the monsters have regularly reported characteristics that have made them identifiable at various sites around Iceland. Uniquely, Arnarfjördur claims to have seen sightings of all four over the years, making it a seeming hub of cryptozoological activity.

Despite having no concrete evidence of any unexplainable creatures lurking in the waters, the museum treats the collected accounts of sailors and other seamen as largely factual. The cultural importance of sea monster stories is so closely intertwined with the beliefs of local seamen that Skrímslasetrið could almost rightly be called a natural history museum.  

Related Tags

Cryptozoology Museums And Collections Museums Underwater Week
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

EricGrundhauser

Edited By

aribrown, MehLindi Inthewebway, Allison

  • aribrown
  • MehLindi Inthewebway
  • Allison

Published

July 22, 2016

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Skrímslasetrið
Dalbraut
Bíldudalur, 465
Iceland
65.686667, -23.597689
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Selárdalur Valley

Iceland

miles away

Samúel Jónsson's Art Farm

Iceland

miles away

Garðar BA 64

Iceland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Iceland

Iceland

Europe

Places 149
Stories 41

Nearby Places

Selárdalur Valley

Iceland

miles away

Samúel Jónsson's Art Farm

Iceland

miles away

Garðar BA 64

Iceland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Iceland

Iceland

Europe

Places 149
Stories 41

Related Stories and Lists

11 Museums Dedicated to Monsters

List

By Jonathan Carey

Where to Find the World's Best Hometown Monsters

cryptozoology

By Molly McBride Jacobson

Related Places

  • Cryptozoology & Paranomal Museum in Littleton.

    Littleton, North Carolina

    Cryptozoology & Paranormal Museum

    Bigfoot prints, Feejee mermaids, and haunted dolls on display in a tiny North Carolina town.

  • Underwater Museum at Cape Tarhankut. (Panoramio)

    Olenivka, Crimea

    Underwater Museum at Cape Tarkhankut

    Submerged busts of communist and socialist figures from the USSR.

  • “Yo Soy el Buen Pastor Ego Sum Pastor Bonus” by Bernardo Ramonfaur.

    Monterrey, Mexico

    Museo Arquidiocesano de Arte Sacro (Archdiocese Sacred Art Museum)

    Its collection features not only Christian-themed art but also works made by members of the clergy.

  • Can’t forget the firetruck.

    Harrisville, West Virginia

    Cliff’s Museum of Car Memorabilia

    A lifetime collection of thousands of automobile and vintage gas station items at no charge to view.

  • Livingstone, Zambia

    David Livingstone’s Shaving Mirror

    Combing through this David Livingstone tribute will escort you on adventures through the looking glass.

  • Glasgow, Scotland

    Hunterian Zoology Museum

    An extended zoological collection that doubles as a time capsule.

  • Denver, Colorado

    Clyfford Still Museum

    Soak in the life’s work of one of the country’s foremost modern artists.

    Sponsored by Visit Denver
  • The eternal flame.

    Chennai, India

    Perarignar Anna Memorial

    The largest funeral ever held was for one of Tamil's most influential politicians.

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.