The National Museum conserves a varied selection of relics that testify to the cultural history of the Icelandic nation. It is an extremely interesting museum on 3 floors displaying all kinds of Viking artifacts from the time of the Vikings settling here in and around 874 (the Irish munks were the first settlers in Iceland though) and onto more modern times.

It is really a must visiting this museum with its original Viking swords and ornaments etc. There is a section at the museum on the history of the Catholic church with a lot of artifacts from that time. The Icelanders converted in the year 1000 and much later became Protestants and that was not done peacefully, to say the least.

The museum takes you through all eras of the Icelandic history, at the beginning there are the Viking artifacts gradually leading you to the modern age. Unfortunately it is forbidden to take pictures inside the museum so one must pay it a visit to really experience it.