Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Akureyri has several museums, and while it's laudable that the town celebrates its artists
and authors, many of these institutions are of limited interest unless you have a particular
admiration for a specific artist's work. There are also museums dedicated to aviation, local
industry, antique toys and motorbikes.
If you have your own vehicle, consider visiting some of greater Eyjafjörður's museums
flanking the eastern and western shores.
Akureyrarkirkja
CHURCH
Dominating the town from high on a hill, Akureyri's landmark church was designed by
Guðjón Samúelsson, the architect responsible for Reykjavík's Hallgrímskirkja. Although
the basalt theme connects them, Akureyrarkirkja looks more like a stylised 1920s US sky-
scraper than its big-city brother.
Built in 1940, the church contains a large 3200-pipe organ and a series of rather untradi-
tional reliefs of the life of Christ. There's also a suspended ship hanging from the ceiling,
reflecting an old Nordic tradition of votive offerings for the protection of loved ones at
sea. Perhaps the most striking feature is the beautiful central window in the chancel, which
originally graced Coventry Cathedral in England.
The church admits visitors most days; check the board outside for opening times, as
they change frequently.
Akureyri Museum
MUSEUM
10am-5pm Jun-mid-Sep, 2-4pm Thu-Sun mid-Sep-May)
This sweet, well-curated museum houses art and historical items relating to town life, in-
cluding maps, photos and recreations of early Icelandic homes. The
museum garden
be-
came the first place in Iceland to cultivate trees when a nursery was established here in
1899.
Nonnahús
MUSEUM
The most interesting of the artists' residences, Nonnahús was the childhood home of
renowned children's writer Reverend Jón Sveinsson (1857-1944), known to most as
