The Settlement Exhibition Recaps the History of Reykjavík
If there’s one thing I never hesitate to share with anyone visiting Reykjavík, it’s my unabashed enthusiasm for the Settlement Exhibition. Over the years, I’ve guided family and friends through its intriguing displays and enjoyed countless visits with my children, who were born and raised here. Yet, I recently discovered to my surprise that I had missed an expansive addition to the exhibition that was completed during those unusual COVID years. Thanks to the arrival of an international guest, I seized the opportunity to revisit this local treasure and experience it anew.
Rewind
Anyone strolling down Aðalstræti cannot miss the sleek glass structure boldly labeled “871±2.” Still, you’ll find that the foot traffic on the street does not always translate into visitors inside the Settlement Exhibition—a disappointing reality for a gem that deserves much more attention.
When visitors peer through the glass cubist skylight, they are greeted by the remains of an ancient Viking longhouse, the crown jewel of the original exhibition. This structure, marked with the numbers 871±2, dates back to around that year, give or take a couple of decades—a fascinating glimpse into Reykjavík’s rich past.
This archaeological marvel was uncovered in 2001 when construction crews were digging a plot for a new hotel complex at the corner of Aðalstræti and Suðurgata. To everyone’s astonishment, they unearthed what would become the oldest human-made structures discovered in Iceland—a remarkable find that transformed the subsequent underground space into an exhibition surrounding the longhouse, believed to have been inhabited between 930 and 1000 AD, alongside turf walls dating back to about 871.
Embracing the Old
The original exhibition was a compact, inviting space where visitors could walk around the longhouse site. Now, the structure has been elevated on a platform, allowing for closer inspection of various features, including the hearth, sleeping areas, and even spaces thought to house animals. Notably, the east-facing wall boasts a cozy porch, hinting that the inhabitants were quite notable in the fledgling Reykjavík community.
But this isn’t merely about looking at rocks; the exhibit offers high-tech, interactive experiences that transport visitors into the lives of early settlers—without physically touching the artifacts. The perimeter showcases relics from other archaeological sites around Reykjavík and Viðey island, while the dim lighting and soundscapes of birds and ocean breezes create a serene atmosphere for museum-goers.
Discovering the New
As it turns out, this doorway leads into the exhibition’s newer section, which now occupies the adjacent basement and extends into the charming black timber house at Aðalstræti 10. It serves as a true portal through time.
While the original exhibition room immerses visitors in the era of the settlement, the expansion chronicles Reykjavík’s evolution from around the year 871 to the establishment of local farms and markets that occupy the same neighborhood today, all the way to the present day.
It’s fascinating to see walls adorned with old photographs of the city’s center, reflecting on transformational changes while also revealing elements that have endured. My children, in their youthful enthusiasm, delighted in spotting our century-old home in a vintage image of Þingholt and peering through a viewfinder at a miniature diorama of the city center. Honestly, my husband and I enjoyed it just as much.
The building at Aðalstræti 10 is designed in part to resemble the general store that once operated there, as well as the office of a past priest—evoking the open-air museum vibe of Árbæjarsafn without leaving the city center.
And yes, there is a gift shop, but our exit route was thwarted when we realized our jackets were still hanging in the foyer of the original exhibit. This meant retracing our steps, which turned out to be a welcome opportunity to absorb everything one more time.
Reykjavík has no shortage of art galleries and exhibition spaces, but there’s a unique grounding experience in spending an afternoon at a place that fosters a deeper connection to the land—wherever you may be residing or visiting. The Settlement Exhibition accomplishes this beautifully.
