Explore the origins of Iceland's capital at this underground exhibition. Walk around the excavated ruins of a 10th-century Viking longhouse and discover how a remote settlement evolved into a modern city through interactive multimedia and archaeological finds.
An underground archaeological exhibition in central Reykjavík built around the preserved ruins of a 10th-century Viking longhouse and the city's oldest house.
Located in the Miðbær neighborhood of central Reykjavík, The Settlement Exhibition offers an underground journey through the city's historical evolution. The museum is built around the preserved ruins of a tenth-century Viking longhouse and an ancient boundary wall. Through multimedia installations, it illustrates the daily lives and environmental impact of Iceland's earliest settlers.
The Settlement Exhibition is located underground in the Miðbær neighborhood of central Reykjavík, situated at the historic corner of Aðalstræti. This convenient downtown position places visitors directly above the excavated ruins of a tenth-century Viking longhouse. Exploring this central area provides an authentic connection to the very origins of the Icelandic capital.
Aðalstræti 16
101 Reykjavíkurborg
Miðbær, Höfuðborgarsvæðið, IS
Located in the Miðbær neighborhood of Reykjavíkurborg, The Settlement Exhibition offers an underground journey into the city's Viking origins. Visitors can view the excavated ruins of a tenth-century Viking longhouse alongside a boundary wall fragment dating before 871. Interactive multimedia displays help visualize the daily lives, environmental impact, and tasks of Iceland's earliest settlers. This experience connects these ancient ruins directly with the oldest standing building in the Kvosin area, illustrating how a remote settlement evolved into a modern capital.
Early excavations at Aðalstræti between 1971 and 1975 first established the historical importance of this area in Reykjavík. In 2001, archaeologists uncovered the remains of a tenth-century **Viking Age longhouse** dating to before 871 CE. This discovery led to the construction of an exhibition building in 2003. To showcase these ruins, The Settlement Exhibition opened and later received prestigious museum awards in 2006, expanding further with new excavation finds integrated in 2011.
Images of The Settlement Exhibition in central Reykjavík display a modern facade with flags and corrugated metal siding. Inside, visitors can preview the atmospheric underground galleries safeguarding the excavated ruins of a tenth-century Viking longhouse. These visuals capture the unique connection between ancient archaeological remains and modern multimedia displays.
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