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Ásmundarsafn — The Dome of Icelandic Sculpture

About Ásmundarsafn — The Dome of Icelandic Sculpture

Ásmundur Sveinsson (1893–1982) studied in Stockholm and Copenhagen before travelling to Greece and North Africa — experiences that profoundly influenced both his sculptural style and his architecture. When he returned to Iceland, he designed his dome house on the slopes of Laugardalur in the early 1940s, building most of it with his own hands. The museum is a branch of the Reykjavík Art Museum (Listasafn Reykjavíkur), one of three sites across the city. The interior contains Sveinsson's personal studio, living quarters and the full range of his sculpture in plaster, stone and bronze. The sculpture garden is one of Reykjavík's best free attractions — 20-odd large-scale bronzes displayed in a well-maintained garden surrounded by trees. The works include 'Sjóminnjar' (Sea Memories), 'Móðir og barn' (Mother and Child) and the colossal 'Ástholt' (Love Grove).

🐉 The Dome From Another World

Ásmundur built his own world in Laugardalur — a white dome from the Mediterranean transplanted to the Arctic, surrounded by sculptures from the Norse imagination.

📖 History of Ásmundarsafn — The Dome of Icelandic Sculpture

Ásmundur Sveinsson was born in Galtafell, south Iceland in 1893. He trained in Stockholm, Paris and Italy before settling in Reykjavík. He designed and built his dome house in Laugardalur over the period 1942–1959, working on it between sculptures. He donated the building and all its contents to the city of Reykjavík. It opened as a museum in 1983, one year after his death.

💡 Did You Know?

Ásmundur Sveinsson designed his dome house after being inspired by Bedouin tent structures and ancient Greek domed buildings during his travels in the Mediterranean and North Africa.

Key Facts

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Former home and studio of sculptor Ásmundur Sveinsson (1893–1982)

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Extraordinary white dome architecture designed by Sveinsson himself

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Outdoor sculpture garden FREE and open year-round

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Part of the Reykjavík Art Museum network

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Located in Laugardalur, next to the main swimming pool

💎 Hidden Gems

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The Architecture From Inside

Standing inside the main dome and looking up is a genuinely magical experience — the quality of light in the curved white interior is extraordinary.

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The Sea Memories Sculpture

Sjóminnjar (Sea Memories), displayed in the garden, is one of Sveinsson's most powerful works — a fluid, almost biological abstraction that somehow captures the feeling of being surrounded by the Icelandic ocean.