Iceland review - 2014, Síða 87

ICELAND REVIEW 85
Opened in 2011, Volcano House is owned and operated by
a family with firsthand experience of the destructive power
of Iceland’s volcanoes. “We come from Heimaey, the only
inhabited island of the Westman Islands which in January 1973 saw
a volcanic eruption. Four hundred homes were forever covered in
lava, including many belonging to our family members,” explains
Hörður Gunnarsson. “Volcano House is therefore a project close to
our hearts. We take great care of our customers and explain to them
all about Iceland’s geology and volcanic history, as well as our own
experiences of the Heimaey eruption.”
Among the Volcano House’s biggest attractions is its impressive
collection of rare Icelandic rocks and crystals. A variety of volcanic
ash is also on display—and for sale—including ash from Eyjafjalla-
jökull and 3,000-year-old pumice from Mt. Hekla in various colors.
Running the super-fine black ash of Eyjafjallajökull through one’s fin-
gers, and feeling the cool touch of an eight-million-year-old opal rock
is nothing short of extraordinary. “We encourage our guests to touch
and feel the texture of the items on display. It’s all part of the experi-
ence,” he says.
Last but not least, two informative films, 53 minutes in total, are
screened at Volcano House. They were made especially for the cen-
ter and are only shown there. “One is about the Heimaey eruption.
It features interviews with people who experienced it firsthand
as well as dramatic footage showing islanders trying to fight the
lava flow with sea water, and later joining hands in cleaning up
and rebuilding their town. The film also covers Surtsey Island’s
creation in 1963.” The second film is about the world-famous
Eyjafjallajökull eruption, which took place in 2010. It was nomi-
nated for an Emmy for outstanding cinematography. It also dis-
cusses the volcanoes Katla, Hekla, Grímsvötn and the Lakagígar
eruption in 1783.
Sharing space with Volcano House, one of Iceland’s most popu-
lar restaurants, Icelandic Fish and Chips, offers the healthy version
of this popular dish, using fresh fish every morning and spelt in
their batter. Oven baking twice the hand cut potatoes and using
the all Icelandic skyr as a base for their vide range of naturally fla-
vored sauces. The restaurant opened in 2006 and has enjoyed a
steady growth of follower´s ever since. Outgrowing their previous
space, Icelandic Fish & Chips recently moved to a more suited
location at Volcano House. The popular menu has not changed
though, still offering the freshest fish & chips, garlic roasted lan-
goustine, hearty soups and home-made fresh soda. And creating
the perfect setting, Reykjavík’s old harbor makes for a decorative
view from every window. volcanohouse.is fishandchips.is

Located at the heart of 101 Reykjavík, Volcano house allows you to experience Iceland’s volcanoes
firsthand. Afterwards, have a delicious and wholesome meal at icelandic Fish and Chips.
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