This permanent exhibition, located in the pedestrian passage beneath Lækjargata, commemorates the historic development of early power generation. Visitors can engage with interactive elements, including a replica of a historic woodworking workshop and a functional water wheel display. Discover how local craftsmanship and engineering transformed daily life in Hafnarfjörður.
Read curatorial context and practical visitor information for Cold Lights at Siggubær in Reykjavík
Cold Lights commemorates the 120th anniversary of Iceland's first public electricity grid in Hafnarfjörður. The interactive exhibition is located in a tunnel beneath Lækjargata and allows visitors to engage with the history of pioneer Jóhannes Reykdal and his work in early power generation.
Cold Lights (Köldu ljósin) celebrates the monumental achievement of introducing electricity to Hafnarfjörður in 1904, initiated by the local pioneer and craftsman Jóhannes Reykdal. Reykdal, who established a woodworking factory powered by the water of Hamarskotslækur, was instrumental in bringing power to 16 houses and four street lamps, transforming local life at the turn of the century. The exhibition is situated in the pedestrian passage beneath Lækjargata and serves as both an educational site and a local landmark. Within the space, visitors can explore a replica of Reykdal's workshop, which houses various period tools. The exhibition features a unique interactive element where visitors can operate a water wheel that symbolically lights up the 16 original buildings that first received electricity in the town.
The exhibition is open to the public and serves as a local passageway. Group visits and educational tours can be booked by contacting the museum directly via their website.
Review exhibition status, schedule, venue context, and attribution details for Cold Lights at Siggubær in Reykjavík
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Siggubær Exhibition
A permanent outdoor folklore installation in Hellisgerði garden.
Learn about the mysterious stories of elves and hidden people through informative signs. Use mapped routes to explore legendary sites around Hellisgerði garden.
Folklore Exhibition
Step inside the historic home of British maritime entrepreneurs.
Tour the restored house and office of the Bookless brothers in Hafnarfjörður. Discover their contributions to local fishing, processing, and maritime logistics. View original artifacts from early industrial operations.
Bookless Bungalow Exhibition
Discover 19th-century Icelandic life and maritime heritage.
Tour the oldest building in Hafnarfjörður, restored to its original early 1800s state. See how an affluent merchant family lived and learn about the town's historical trade development.
Sívertsen House Museum
Three diverse exhibitions charting local Icelandic culture and history.
Explore a comprehensive display of local history from the settlement era to the present day. View vintage toys in the interactive attic space and enjoy changing thematic cultural exhibits in Hafnarfjörður.
Pakkhúsið Exhibitions
Waterfront gallery highlighting local maritime history and community life
Stroll along the harbor to experience rotating historical photographs of the area. This accessible outdoor public gallery showcases decades of local development, labor, and community evolution.
Strandstígur ExhibitionLocate historical displays and contemporary art across the city.
Plan your cultural itinerary by finding exhibitions in Reykjavík that match your interests. Discover historical installations, creative visual arts, and heritage displays across multiple venues. Streamline your exploration of local culture and find exactly what to see next.