Reykjavík Grapevine - 12.09.2008, Blaðsíða 28

28 | REYKJAVÍK GRAPEVINE | ISSUE 14—2008
DESTINATION
For those who are interested in learning more
about Iceland’s storied past, the National Mu-
seum of Iceland (Þjóðminjasafn Íslands), located
at Suðurgata 41, offers a unique treasure-trove of
historic exhibits.
The museum’s permanent showcase, The
Making of a Nation, is an elaborate multimedia-
enriched expedition into the country’s olden
times, beginning from the origin of settlement to
today. Walking through the darkly mood-lit space,
you will learn how the ways of life in Iceland
evolved from century to century; for example, the
nation’s transition from paganism to Christianity.
The Making of a Nation presents visitors with over
2,000 distinctive objects to observe. Some of the
most interesting features of the exhibit include
authentic Viking weapons (swords and shields),
traditional religious artefacts and an actual old
school vessel, Ingjaldur, which helped lay the
smack down on British criminals fishing illegally
in 1899. Each of the items on display typically fea-
tures handy touch-screens that will help narrate
their historical context.
The museum enthusiastically reaches out
to kids with many hands-on exhibits, including
some awesome, feel-able chain mail and a clever
matching-switchboard that invites one to match
up historic equivalents to contemporary things
(i.e. olden-day footwear made of bones matched
up to some modern-day kicks)
Also included at the museum are some note-
worthy new acquisitions, including, charmingly,
King Frederick the VIII of Denmark’s portable toi-
let, that he…er…used when he came to visit the
country in 1907. In addition, a brand new feature
near the entrance is Kristín Ragna Gunnarsdóttir’s
imaginatively vivid, kooky illustrations from Ör-
lög gudanna (“Destiny of the Gods”), a children’s
book that creatively outlines Norse mythology.
Before departing, the Museum offers an en-
ticing Kaffitar downstairs with mouth-wateringly
delicious-looking cheesecake that will hit the spot
after a long visit.
A Visit to the
National Museum
of Iceland
BY JAMeS cRugnALe — pHoTo BY gAS
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