Westfjords
An interesting place to travel to and visit
The beginning of Egill Ólafsson’s collection
Egill Ólafsson was born at Hnjótur and lived there all his life. He began at an early age to collect objects from the past and eventually established at Hnjótur one of the country’s most noteworthy museums. It comprises many objects found nowhere else and attests clearly to the foresight with which Egill was endowed. Acting aggressively, he succeeded in rescuing great cultural treasures which otherwise would have been lost forever.
Outlook on life
In the museum are objects which belonged to Jón Thorbergs, who lost a leg at an early age and would not change places with anyone. The course of Jón’s life provides a good insight into life as it was lived by the common people at the beginning of the 20th century..
The museum’s position today
The museum is owned and operated jointly by Vesturbyggð and Tálknafjarðarhreppur. It has unlimited potential to grow and prosper but needs increased working capital to do so. There is reason to hope it will expand and strengthen in the near future.
A youth’s interest in collecting begets a major museum
From small beginnings come great things may be said of the lifelong endeavours of the farmer at Hnjótur and his wife, Ragnheiður Magnúsdóttir, but between them, they developed this important museum. For that, the nation owes them its gratitude.
Opening hours
The museum is open daily from 10:00 to 18:00 from 21th of May till 11th of September.
The museum may be opened on request at other hours. Contact the museum director, telephone 896 5363.
Enquiries can also be e-mailed to museum@hnjotur.is.
Schedule of events 2011
Schedule of events 2011 is forthcoming ...
Breiðafjörður Bay Circle welcomes you!
The Egill Ólafsson Museum at Hnjótur , Örlygshöfn, Phone: 4561511, e-mail: museum@hnjotur.is, Webdesing: Emstrur