Museum of Icelandic Sorcery and Witchcraft
Explore Icelandic sorcery, folklore and the 17th-century witch trials at Hólmavík's Museum of Icelandic Sorcery and Witchcraft.
About
About Museum of Icelandic Sorcery and Witchcraft
Explore Icelandic sorcery, folklore and the 17th-century witch trials at Hólmavík's Museum of Icelandic Sorcery and Witchcraft.
Nowhere else can you see actual grimoires (spell books), sorcery staves and the infamous 'Nábrók' — trousers made from a dead man's skin, believed to bring endless wealth.
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Photos
Gallery
Background
History & Background
Museum of Icelandic Sorcery and Witchcraft has been a significant site in Iceland's landscape. Throughout the years, this location has played an important role in Icelandic culture and natural history.
The Museum of Icelandic Sorcery and Witchcraft in Hólmavík is one of the Westfjords' most distinctive cultural attractions. Its exhibitions explore witchcraft accusations, traditional magical staves and the beliefs surrounding sorcery in 17th-century Iceland. The Strandir setting is especially relevant because the region is strongly associated with Icelandic folklore and magical traditions. Visitors should allow enough time to read the displays and place the unusual objects in their historical context.
Folklore
Story & Folklore
Galdrasafnið á Hólmavík is one of those rare museums that genuinely shocks and fascinates in equal measure. Housed in a small fishing village on the Strandir coast of the Westfjords, the collection documents 17th-century Icelandic witchcraft — not the fantasy kind, but the real, terrifying historical kind. Original grimoires filled with rune-like magical staves, dried herbs and animal parts used in spells, and the full story of how fear and religious anxiety led to executions by burning. The 'Nábrók' — a replica of the most feared magical object in Iceland — is displayed with grim seriousness. Not for the faint-hearted.
Did You Know?
Between 1604 and 1720, Iceland executed 22 people for witchcraft — 20 of them men, which is the opposite of most European witch trials. Sexual anxiety about male identity drove the prosecutions.
Culture
Stories & Legends
Icelandic sagas and folklore from this area
Hrófá
Hrófá is a historic location in Iceland mentioned in "Fóstbræðra saga", one of the ancient Íslendingasögur (Sagas of Icelanders). These medieval narratives preserve the history of Iceland's Viking Age settlement.
Skeljavík
Skeljavík is a historic location in Iceland mentioned in "Gísla saga Súrssonar, Gunnlaugs saga ormstungu", one of the ancient Íslendingasögur (Sagas of Icelanders). These medieval narratives preserve the history of Iceland's Viking Age settlement.
Hólmavík – Museum of Sorcery & Witchcraft
The Museum of Icelandic Sorcery and Witchcraft in the Westfjords — Iceland's centre of 17th century witch trials, with displays including stave magic and the notorious Nábrók (necropants).
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Hidden Gems Nearby
Talk to the Staff
Museum staff at Museum of Icelandic Sorcery and Witchcraft are often incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about their subject.
They can share stories and insights not found in the exhibits, and may point you to related sites in the area.
Gift Shop Treasures
Icelandic museum shops often carry unique locally-made items and books not available elsewhere.
You'll find authentic Icelandic crafts, design items, and publications that make meaningful souvenirs.
Combine with Nearby Sites
Ask about related attractions in the area to create a themed day trip.
Many museums are located near the historical sites or landscapes they document, creating a richer overall experience.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Location
Location
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