World in Words

The world of the Icelandic sagas and Norse mythology, tales of Odin, Thor, Hel and Loki, survived in manuscripts. See how they bring to life an entire World in Words, at our exhibition in Reykjavík city centre.

View the Icelandic manuscripts – the nation’s most precious cultural heritage – and learn about the medieval outlook and mindset: the beginning and the end of the world, life and death, passion and strife.

This family-friendly exhibition features interactive games and multimedia, which, together with the manuscripts, open up the fascinating literature of medieval Iceland. Visitors can also stop for some refreshments at the Ýmir Coffee House.

Árni Magnússon’s manuscript collection was added to UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register in 2009. 

About Edda - the home of the manuscripts:

The Edda is a remarkable building in Reykjavík, housing the Árni Magnússon Institute for Icelandic Studies and the Faculty of Icelandic and Comparative Cultural Studies at the University of Iceland.

The Edda building is a vibrant centre for academic and cultural endeavours. The building has three floors and a basement, totalling approximately 6,000 m². The Árni Magnússon Institute for Icelandic Studies occupies the northern part of the building, while the Faculty of Icelandic and Comparative Cultural Studies at the University of Iceland operates partially in the southern part.

At the base of the central building, valuable manuscripts and data are securely preserved. Above that, the library extends into a lofty vault. The library is at once peaceful, splendid, and an inspiring workspace—a hub where ancient and contemporary cultures intersect in scholarly pursuits. Within this central space, various activities take place, including exhibitions, lectures, teaching, workspaces, and garden areas on the upper floors, creating a unique environment.