The Settlement Exhibition – Reykjavík 871±2

Background

History & Background

The exhibition opened in 2006 after the discovery in 2001 of the remains of a 10th-century longhouse at Aðalstræti 16. Its surviving walls and the older settlement-period archaeology are preserved and interpreted in place. The exhibition now extends to Aðalstræti 10, linking Reykjavík’s earliest inhabitants with the subsequent growth of the city.

The Settlement Exhibition (Landnámssýningin), part of the Reykjavík City Museum, is based around preserved archaeological remains of a 10th-century Viking-Age longhouse at Aðalstræti 16 in central Reykjavík. The longhouse was discovered during excavations in 2001 and remains in its original location. The exhibition connects Aðalstræti 16 with the historic building at Aðalstræti 10, tracing Reykjavík’s development from an early settlement farm through later centuries into the modern city. Displays use archaeological objects, interpretive text and multimedia. **Opening hours:** Reykjavík City Museum currently lists 10:00–17:00 every day. General admission is ticketed, with rates published by the museum; exceptional events and holiday hours can differ. The exhibition is a museum interior, not a landscape of lava fields or outdoor ruins. Museum lighting can be low near the archaeological remains, and some floor areas are uneven. Reykjavík City Museum provides visitor access information; contact it for specific mobility requirements. Set aside 60–90 minutes and pair the visit with the Old Harbour and the city-centre walking streets.