Attraction Guide: Arbaer Open Air Museum, Selfoss, Iceland

Arbaer Open Air Museum Guide

Step Back in Time: Experience Icelandic History at Árbær Open Air Museum Guide

The Árbær Open Air Museum, located in Reykjavik, offers a fascinating glimpse into Iceland's past. This living museum recreates a traditional Icelandic village, showcasing how Icelanders lived and worked from the 18th to the early 20th centuries. With over twenty buildings relocated from various parts of Iceland, the museum provides an authentic and immersive experience. The museum's history began in 1957 when the City of Reykjavik decided to preserve and showcase Iceland's cultural heritage. The Árbær farm, which had been inhabited since the Middle Ages, was chosen as the site for the museum. Over the years, buildings were carefully dismantled, transported, and reconstructed at Árbær, creating a vibrant and historically accurate representation of Icelandic rural life. Visitors can explore the various buildings, including a church, a schoolhouse, workshops, and traditional turf houses. During the summer months, costumed interpreters bring the village to life, demonstrating traditional crafts, farming techniques, and household chores. Special events and exhibitions are held throughout the year, offering deeper insights into Icelandic history and culture. While the museum doesn't have a specific culinary tradition tied to it, the cafe on site offers traditional Icelandic pastries and snacks.