Iceland/Things to Do/Sæmundur á selnum

Sæmundur á selnum

Ásmundur Sveinsson’s sculpture of Sæmundur the Wise riding a seal outside the University of Iceland.

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64.1401, -21.9474

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About

About Sæmundur á selnum

Ásmundur Sveinsson’s sculpture of Sæmundur the Wise riding a seal outside the University of Iceland.

A distinctive sculpture linking Reykjavík with one of Iceland’s best-known folk legends.

Tours Near Sæmundur á selnum

Private Walking tour Reykjavik - CityWalk

CityWalk Reykjavik · 2 hours 30 minutes

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Private Reykjavík Sightseeing Tour 4hrs

Your Transfer ehf · 4 hours

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Private Reykjavík Sightseeing Tour 6hrs

Your Transfer ehf · 6 hours

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Private Reykjavik Driving Tour

BT Travel · 2 hours

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Background

History & Background

Ásmundur Sveinsson developed early versions of Sæmundur á selnum in the 1920s. The enlarged bronze version was installed by the University of Iceland’s main building in 1970. The imagery refers to Sæmundur fróði and a well-known tale about tricking the devil, represented as a seal.

Outside the University of Iceland’s main building, Sæmundur á selnum captures an Icelandic folktale in dynamic sculptural form. Sæmundur fróði is shown riding the seal—connected in the legend with the devil—while raising a book. It was created by Ásmundur Sveinsson, one of Iceland’s influential sculptors. The University of Iceland site was given a large bronze version in 1970, although the artist developed the theme decades earlier. The work is outdoors; visit from public campus paths, being considerate of students and campus activities. The sculpture itself is free to view.

Did You Know?

Ásmundur Sveinsson’s sculpture of Sæmundur the Wise riding a seal outside the University of Iceland

Culture

Stories & Legends

Icelandic sagas and folklore from this area

icelandic saga

Reykjavík

Reykjavík is a historic location in Iceland mentioned in "Harðar saga og Hólmverja", one of the ancient Íslendingasögur (Sagas of Icelanders). These medieval narratives preserve the history of Iceland's Viking Age settlement.