The Settlement Exhibition
An underground museum in Reykjavík built around the archaeological remains of a Viking longhouse, revealing the city’s earliest beginnings.
The Settlement Exhibition (Landnámssýningin) in Reykjavík takes visitors directly to the roots of Iceland’s history. Discovered during construction work in 2001, the remains of a Viking Age longhouse dated to around 871 AD were preserved and turned into a museum that blends archaeology with modern interactive displays.
The longhouse ruins are displayed in situ beneath the city, with high-tech multimedia reconstructions showing what life may have looked like for the first settlers of Reykjavík. Artefacts uncovered during the excavation — including tools, household items, and evidence of early farming — provide insight into how these Norse pioneers survived in a harsh and isolated environment.
The exhibition also explores themes of settlement, survival, and belief, revealing the challenges faced by Iceland’s earliest inhabitants. Standing among the ancient walls, visitors are confronted with the raw beginnings of a community that would grow into Iceland’s capital, making the museum a unique blend of history and atmosphere.
Location: Located in central Reykjavík, beneath Aðalstræti.
Address: Aðalstræti 16, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
Category: museum, viking, archaeology
Tags: The Settlement Exhibition, Landnámssýningin, Reykjavík, Viking, archaeology, Iceland
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Homepage: borgarsogusafn.is
Map: Open in Google Maps
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