Discover South Iceland Highland
Glaciers – Volcanoes – Mountains – Waterfalls – Thermal Pools

Attractions : Icelandic Wonders - Elves, Trolls and Norhern Lights

Icelandic Wonders is a museum encompassing approximately 1200 square metres that is dedicated to elves, trolls and Northern Lights. The museum is situated in Stokkseyri, which is about 70 km from Reykjavík (approximately one hour's drive). It is on the ground floor of the "Culture Centre" (Menningarhús) and next door to the popular lobster restaurant “Við Fjöruborðið”. The famous Ghost Centre is located on the top floor of the Culture Centre; the new museum is in the same hands as the Ghost Centre and was designed and built by the same people that created the Ghost Centre. 

It is safe to say that this museum cannot be compared to anything else in Iceland. Museum guests will walk into a world of elves and hidden people and get a glimpse of their life. They will also go through a large troll cave and get to see the dwelling place of the trolls with their own eyes. However, many will probably find the highlight to be a visit into a 200 square metres space that will be maintained at below zero temperatures, -5° C to -10° C. A true winter world will be found there, with clumps of ice from Vatnajökull glacier, ice walls and an ice bar in one corner. The main feature of the winter world, though, will undoubtedly be the Northern Lights which will be shown in all their glory.

Elves
The origin of elves (álfar in Icelandic) goes back to Germanic paganism and mythology. They were originally a race of minor gods associated with nature and fertility. In Iceland, elves were mentioned in both the sagas and the Eddas (Prose Edda, by Snorri Sturlusson). They can be the same size as humans or even smaller, and are dressed like
humans. They are usually invisible, but can be seen if they feel like it. They can be
helpful and kind to those who do them no harm, and repay favors with favors. On the other hand, they can also be malicious and take revenge if harmed. Elves are often pictured as splendid and beautifully dressed, especially in colorful silk. They usually dwell in nature, especially in forests, rocks, hillocks, wells and springs.

Trolls
Like elves, trolls are also part of the ancient heritage of the Scandinavian mythology. Although they are human-like in form, they are still inhumanly strong, huge and ugly. They are very often thought to be fearsome and cruel creatures. But, like elves, trolls often treat people as they are treated and they return favors for favors, exerting vengeance if harmed. Trolls live in mountains, caves and cliffs, especially bird cliffs. Like humans, they live together socially. They fish, cultivate land and keep animals. They are also very good at handicrafts and hold feasts.

Yuletide Lads

Northern Lights
The Aurora Borealis is a Latin designation for the Northern Lights, the celestial light phenomenon often observed in the night sky during the winter season, usually in the polar zone. Aurora was the Greek goddess of the dawn. Auroras are derived from tiny solar particles that form plasma clouds of electrons and protons, created during electronic storms on the sun. While these are traveling through space, they become trapped in the Earth's magnetic field and collide with atoms of gases in the upper atmosphere (at an altitude of 100-250 km). These atoms start to glow and then emit bands of light that form the Northern Lights.

Back