Old Icelandic Books offers a rare and intimate encounter with Iceland’s literary heritage. Set in a quiet and carefully curated space in Reykjavík, the experience is designed for those who seek depth, authenticity, and a direct connection to history. At its core, Old Icelandic Books is not only an experience—but an ongoing effort to preserve and protect fragile cultural treasures.

The Guardian of the Books. At the heart of Old Icelandic Books lies a dedicated rescue mission that started with one man who has dedicated himself to saving rare Icelandic books and manuscripts. Visitors are not only witnessing history—they are encountering books that have been actively saved, restored, and returned to cultural memory. This mission reflects a deeply rooted Icelandic tradition: that stories are not only told, but protected.

The Open Show. The Open Show offers a refined introduction to Iceland’s literary heritage and why Iceland is a focal point for the world’s knowledge of Vikings and Norse mythology. Conducted in small, carefully managed groups, this experience provides insight into the Icelandic sagas and their enduring significance as the primary written sources of Viking history and Norse mythology. Guests are guided through selected volumes from the collection, gaining an understanding of how these texts have shaped global perceptions of the Viking Age.

The Exclusive Show. A private, in-depth presentation designed for small groups seeking a deeper cultural experience where you can hold the history in your hand. feel the leather and the skin that covers hundreds of years old books and the pages that were carefully made from cotton. This format allows for a slower, more deliberate exploration of the collection, where each object is given the attention it deserves. This is a highly personal experience, where questions, discussion, and close observation are encouraged. The Exclusive Show offers not only knowledge, but rare access to the hidden life of books. A unique and rare world-class experience

The Sagas. The Icelandic sagas are among the most important works of medieval literature, preserving the history and identity of early Icelandic society. Originally written and copied by hand, their survival depended on fragile manuscripts for centuries. The first printed editions marked a turning point—securing these stories in a more permanent form and making them accessible to a wider world. At Old Icelandic Books, visitors encounter these hundreds of years old early printed sagas, representing the moment when Iceland’s most important stories were preserved for generations to come.

Manuscripts. Within Old Icelandic Books lies a fragile frontier—manuscripts that have endured centuries on the edge of disappearance. It is here that the work of the Guardian of the books becomes a rescue mission in the truest sense. Through careful recovery, restoration, and preservation, he has brought these manuscripts back from the threshold of loss—ensuring that what once seemed destined to disappear continues to exist, to be read, and to be understood These works are not only historical documents. These are not simply old texts. They are survivors. Their continued existence depends on careful conservation and a sustained commitment to preservation.

The Tolkien Books. The influence of Icelandic literature extends far beyond its geographical boundaries. The works of J. R. R. Tolkien reflect a profound engagement with Norse mythology and the narrative traditions found in the Icelandic sagas. Visitors encounter this connection through selected works, gaining insight into how ancient themes—heroism, fate, language, and myth—were reinterpreted within modern literature. This collection highlights the continuity of storytelling, demonstrating how preserved texts continue to shape imagination on a global scale. Visit Old Icelandic Books and hold the first printed edition of the books that touched this amazing writer.

Bibles. A distinctive part of the Old Icelandic Books collection is its range of rare and historically significant Bibles, preserved across multiple languages and traditions. These include Icelandic, English, Latin, Danish, Swedish, and Arabic editions—each representing a different cultural and historical context in the transmission of one of the most influential texts in human history. Their survival is essential—not only as religious artefacts, but as foundations of Iceland’s literary culture.

Hold the Hammer of Thor. Inspired by the hammer of the god Thor, as described in the Poetic Edda, we have created a unique replica of Mjölnir, forged from Icelandic lava. This material, born of fire and earth, connects the object to the very landscape that shaped the original myths. According to legend, only the worthy can lift Mjölnir. Here, visitors are invited to test that  for themselves and become a legend

The book of the guest. Let your name life forever. In Iceland names have always carried weight. Long before print, they were carved in stones and into memory, spoken in halls and written into books that would outlive their makers. At Old Icelandic Books, this tradition is transformed into something powerful. Here, your name does not simply sit on a page. It becomes part of a living record—an echo of the manuscript tradition that preserved Iceland’s stories through the centuries. Each signature adds to the legacy of Old Icelandic Books, binding every visitor into the story.

In Iceland, names are not written lightly. For centuries, visitors have inscribed themselves into guest books—quietly leaving a trace of their presence. At Old Icelandic Books, this tradition is transformed into something far more powerful.