Pálshús - Natural Museum

Pálshús, one of the oldest houses in Ólafsfjörður, is today a museum and a cultural centre, located at Strandgata 4 in Ólafsfjörður. The oldest part of the house was built in 1892. The house is named after Páli Bergssyni, one of the main instigators of the fishing enterprises in Ólafsfjörður and who, together with is wife Svanhildi Jörundsdóttur, finished building the house in the form we know today.


Pálshús is a vibrant museum in Ólafsfjörður.

The house features four main exhibitions: The Desire to Fly, Lake Ólafsfjörður, The Underworld, and Ólafsfjörður’s Heritage, along with an art gallery.

The Desire to Fly

The exhibition Desire to Fly showcases the entire Icelandic bird fauna while also exploring humanity's fascination with flight and the dream of being able to fly.

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Lake Ólafsfjörður

Lake Ólafsfjörður is a coastal lake situated at the bottom of the Ólafsfjörður valley. It is listed as a natural heritage site due to its unique characteristics, as it is a stratified lake. A layer of fresh surface water rests atop a salty lower layer, acting like a film that retains heat in the lower strata. These conditions create an exceptionally diverse and rich ecosystem, which has historically supported human settlement in this otherwise harsh and snow-heavy region.

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The Underworld

The exhibition The Underworld is designed especially for the youngest generation. The quest for understanding is a testament to humanity’s curiosity, intellect, and perseverance, as it continuously strives to expand collective knowledge and uncover the secrets of the world. But it is also simply an opportunity to marvel at and appreciate the wonders of existence.

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Ólafsfjörður Heritage Center

The exhibition tells the story of Ólafsfjörður through words and images, spanning from the settlement era to the present day. It explores the impact of various factors on the town's society, nature, and culture, while also tracing the history of industry and development in Ólafsfjörður.

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