Hafnarborg Center of Culture and Fine Arts Museum
Central to Hafnarfjörður's arts scene is Hafnarborg − The Hafnarfjörður Centre of Culture and Fine Art. The museum has two exhibition galleries, a restaurant and a small museum shop. The exhibitions explore works by leading Icelandic artists, ranging from contemporary art to works by the pioneers of Icelandic art. Collection exhibitions are a regular part of the program. Guided tours in English upon request.
Hafnarborg – the Hafnarfjörður Centre of Culture and Fine Art was founded in 1983, becoming the home of the town’s art collection. Chemist Sverrir Magnússon and his wife Ingibjörg Sigurjónsdóttir laid the foundations of the museum and its collection with the donation of their home and art collection to the town. On June 1st 1983, they officially presented Hafnarfjörður with a gift certificate for both the building at Strandgata 34 and an extensive collection of artwork and books. Guðjón Samúelsson originally designed the building for the chemist Sören Kampmann, who lived in the house and ran his business there from 1921. Sverrir Magnússon then took over in 1947, managing Hafnarfjarðar Apótek until 1984.
The gift certificate decreed that the house should be a place for cultural activities, enhancing the town’s art and culture life, by housing an art museum, exhibition rooms and an artist residency, in addition to providing a venue for concerts. Hafnarborg – the Hafnarfjörður Centre of Culture and Fine Art, was formally inaugurated on May 21st 1988. By that time, an extension had been added to the building, designed by architect Ingimar H. Ingimarsson.