A Rare Encounter with Iceland’s Written Heritage
Old Icelandic Books offers a unique cultural experience built around one of the most remarkable private collections of rare Icelandic books and manuscripts in the world.
You will hold the history in your own hands
EXPLORE OUR EXPERIENCESPreserving the Past, Sharing the Story
Not Just a Collection
Old Icelandic Books grants access to the living history of Icelandic literature, including primary sources on Viking history and Norse mythology. Access that exists nowhere else in the world.
Guests are welcomed into the conservator’s workshop, where the books are restored and cared for. Small groups and individual guests are guided through centuries of Icelandic literary tradition. History is not locked behind glass. Instead, guests experience it firsthand: the texture of the paper, the weight of the leather bindings, and the text that has lived in these books for hundreds of years.
Exclusive Exhibition
A private, hands-on encounter with some of the rarest books in the world. Personally guided by the Guardian of the Books.
LEARN MOREExclusive Courses
In-depth courses taught by leading specialists in Icelandic manuscripts, ancient language, and magical traditions.
LEARN MOREOpen Group Exhibition
Join a guided tour through Iceland’s saga heritage. An accessible introduction to the Viking world grounded in authentic sources.
LEARN MOREWhat Our Guests Say
Voices from Our Visitors
“An extraordinary experience. Holding a 400-year-old saga in my hands gave me chills. Eyþór’s knowledge and passion bring every page to life.”
– Sarah M., United Kingdom“We have visited museums all over Europe, but nothing compares to this. The personal attention and the chance to actually touch these rare books made it unforgettable.”
– Thomas and Ingrid K., Germany“I came to Iceland for the landscapes but this was the highlight of our trip. A deeply moving connection to history that you simply cannot get anywhere else.”
– James L., United StatesAbout the Founder
Every Great Saga Has a Beginning
The story of Old Icelandic Books begins with Eyþór Guðmundsson, who has dedicated himself to the collection and preservation of rare antiquarian books and manuscripts.
Eyþór grew up at Beitistaðir in Leirársveit, the site where the only printing press in Iceland once operated from 1815 to 1819, where some of the country’s rarest books were produced. From a young age, he absorbed stories of a vanished era from his grandparents and the older members of the community.
What began as a personal commitment to rescue Iceland’s written heritage grew into a cultural project with a public purpose. Through years of focused collecting and restoring, Eyþór has built Old Icelandic Books into a living archive that reconnects endangered texts with the public.
READ THE FULL STORYBook Your Experience
See the books. Hear the stories. Hold centuries of history in your own hands.
BOOK YOUR EXPERIENCE