Snorrastofa - Exhibitions

New exhibition on the archaeological excavation in Reykholt was opened June 28th. 2008 in Finnsstofa.

Snorri Sturluson and his time

The standing exhibition "Snorri Sturluson and his time" is on display in the Congregation Hall, addressing issues as upbringing, education, writing, religion, music, properties and manors, the use of hot spring water, armament, warfare, sea voyages etc. Apart from Icelandic, the texts are in English, Norwegian. Texts in German are in booklets. The exhibition "Snorri Sturluson and the history of Reykholt" in on the lower floor of the connection between the church and Snorrastofa.

Time and Location:	The hall beneath the Church of Reykholt, from June 1st 2000.
Theme:	Stepping stones about Snorri Sturluson's life to shed light on his times.
Material:	Illustrations and texts in Icelandic, Norwegian and English, along with costumes and book display cabinets.
Design:	Text and ideology: Vidar Hreinsson, literary scholar Axel Kristinsson, historian and director of the Museum House of Borgarfjordur Design: Handbragd graphic design.
Collaborators:	Same as for the exhibition Snorri Sturluson and the history of Reykholt (see below).

Snorri Sturluson and the history of Reykholt

Time and Location:	From June 1st 2000. Lower floor of the connection between the church and Snorrastofa.
Theme:	Introduction to Snorri Sturlusson's life and work, and, in addition, an overview on the history of Reykholt.
Material:	Illustrations and texts in Icelandic, Norwegian and English. In addition, a review of the ongoing archeological research in Reykholt.
Design:	Text and ideology: Vidar Hreinsson, literary scholar Axel Kristinsson, historian and director of the Museum House of Borgarfjordur Anri Daniel Juliusson, historian and cultural representative at Holar in Hjaltadalur They are all members of the Reasearch Institute of Rural Studies at the Reykjavik Academy. Design: Handbragd graphic design: Sigridur Kristinsdottir.
Collaborators:	Assistance with prepariation: Bergur Thorgeirsson. Authors of texts about food and religion: Hallgerdur Gisladottir, Rev. Kristjan Valur Ingolfsson. Author of texts about book-making: Jonas Kristjansson. Translations: Verba Ltd, the Reykjavik Academy. Photography: Johanna Olafsdottir, the Arni Magnusson Institute in Iceland. Costumes from the film Snorri Sturluson: The National Broadcasting Service. Other collaborators: Anna Gudrun Juliusdottir Asdis Egilsdottir Bernard Scudder David Olafsson Jon Jonsson Kari Bjarnason Monica Haug Olof Einarsdottir Svanhildur Oskarsdottir Support and sponsoring: The Norwegian-Icelandic Cultural Fund Kaupfelag Borgfirdinga Sparisjodur Myrasyslu Delta hf Nordural Tal hf

Animal bones from an excavation in Turku, Finland

Spring - summer 2010

The exhibiton sheds light on the information that the bones bring with them. They might be from livestock, pets or game animals. The exhibition was on display for a few months in the hall beneath the church.

Many different kinds of animals lived in the area of the Aboa Vetus Museum in the past. An even greater number of species can be listed, if we count in those animals, whose flesh, bones, fur or leather were used for the benefit of Man. All of these have left behind them bones, which are buried in the layers of soil.

About a thousand kilograms of animal bones have been excavated from the area of the museum. The quarter has been inhabited since medieval times and the bones date

from different periods.

The bone material gives us the chance to tell of the animals, both as species and as individuals. They might be livestock, pets or game animals.

This exhibition on medieval women was opened in the exhibition hall Finnsstofa. It is intended to shed light on the role, status and activities of women in Iceland from the 12th to the 14th century. Illustrations are inspired by illuminations from manuscripts dated to those centuries showing women mainly at their activities. The illustrations are exhibited on a sort of a tapestry completed with texts describing the role of women and references to the ladies connected to the life of Snorri Sturlusons. The texts focus upon Reykholt and Borgarfjörður. This exhibition is intended to generate discussion on the role of women in general as well as to inform and entertain guests.

Pictures on this exhibition were made by students in the 7th grade of the Elementary School in Borgarnes, the winter of 2004-2005. They were originally a part of a school project about Snorri Sturluson and the Sturlung Age in Iceland. On the exhibition you could also view old properties.

Church practices and traditions are used to illustrate various features of Reykholt past and present, with emphasis on the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The course of an individual’s life, as reflected in Christian ceremonies, serves as the background. Baptism is the first step, followed by confirmation, marriage ceremonies and finally funeral rites. One specific example focuses on the celebrated wedding in 1767 of Eggert Ólafsson, one of Iceland’s first natural scientists, who was also a prolific writer and eventually served as lawman, or head of the country’s judiciary.

On display are some of the belongings of the church in Reykholt for example two cloaks from the early 19th century, a christening dress from around 1974 and a chalice used for religious ceremonies on the priest´s jorneys around his parish.

The history of education in Reykholt
An exhibition at Hotel Reykholt at the 70 years anniversary of the old district school in Reykholt. The main theme was the school's first years.

Life and work of Jon Helgason, former professor in Copenhagen
An exhibition in the hall beneath the Church of Reykholt in memory of Jon Helgason's centenary. A programme was held in the Reykholt Church in the summer.

A small exhibition at Hotel Reykholt in connection with the programme Thinking of Hagalin, at the centenary of the writer.

Snorrastofa runs exhibitions within the premises of Snorrastofa and the Church of Reykholt

St. Cecila

Ancient gateways

Snorri Sturluson and his time

Snorri Sturluson and the history of Reykholt

Previous exhibitions