An engaging new permanent exhibition has recently opened at the Árni Magnússon Institute in Reykjavik. The focus is a handful of the most exciting and interesting medieval manuscripts from the Árni Magnússon collection. These manuscripts are the sources from which we know so much about the Viking Age in Iceland. Some of these texts are the earliest literature on Old Norse mythology and the Sagas. With many museums in the Icelandic capital city to explore, I outline what the exhibition has to offer to help you decide whether or not you should add this one to your list.
- Ricky Menzies
- Last Checked and/or Updated 17 December 2024
- Iceland
Iceland’s most cherished historical artifacts are their medieval manuscripts. These age-weathered pages hold the sagas, myths and records of the earliest settlement of Iceland. The oldest of which were written down between the 12th and 13th centuries. Although there are many more copies that survive from much more recent times. Shared between Iceland and Denmark, these important documents are now on display in Reykjavik at the ‘World in Words’ exhibition.
Originally gathered by Árni Magnússon, an Icelandic scholar who lived between 1663 – 1730, a vast collection of manuscripts were bequeathed to the University of Copenhagen after his death. Unfortunately many were subsequently lost during the Great Fire of Copenhagen in 1728. The remaining 3,000 manuscripts are now divided between the Arnamagnæan Manuscript Collection in Copenhagen and the Árni Magnússon Institute in Reykjavik. In 2009 the collection was officially listed on the UNESCO Memory of the Word register.
Why Visit A World in Words?
For the first time since 2013, ‘World in Words’ offers the public an opportunity to see these nationally significant manuscripts. They are kept under restricted access by the Árni Magnússon Institute, and tend to be studied only by scholars. Now, for the first time in Iceland, there is a permanent exhibition that showcases a handful of these interesting manuscripts at a time, on a rotational basis.
The focus of the exhibition is “presenting the rich and complex world of the manuscripts, where life and death, passion and religion, and honour and power all come into play.” It is fairly well known that the Old Icelandic language is the closest language spoken by the Vikings. Therefore, here, the Old Norse language is celebrated, marking its significance. A wide variety of literary texts are featured, including Egil’s Saga, Njal’s Saga, Landnámabók, and Morkinskinna. Other religious manuscripts also highlight the importance of Christianity throughout Iceland’s history. You will not only learn about the early Viking settlers, but also the Christian scholars who brought literacy and European education to the island.
The exhibition is arranged thematically. It begins with the creation of the universe as told in Snorri Sturluson’s Prose Edda. And goes on to explain what we have learned from each of the manuscripts on display. Interactive screens and installations guide visitors through some of the knowledge we have gained from these texts. There is a section dedicated to the fascinating world of Codicology. Here the work and artistry that went into producing a manuscript is set out. The physical processes of making vellum pages, carving quills and mixing ink are explained in detail. Visitors are also able to listen to readings of some of the texts including Old Norse poetry, Sagas and a 15th century choral hymn. The displays are enhanced by interviews with leading scholars in the field giving the visitor insights into current thinking.
My Experience Visiting the Exhibition
Having just completed the first semester of my Master’s course in Viking and Medieval Norse Studies at the University of Iceland, I visited the exhibition in December 2024 just before it closed for Christmas. It was fantastic to see a handful of the physical objects I had been studying all term. I love that feeling you get when you see, in real life, an object you’ve learned so much about in class. Seeing the Codex Regius was similar to how I felt when I first saw the Augustus of Prima Porta at the Vatican Museum during my Bachelor’s degree.
The exhibition is quite small, and only takes about an hour to see it all. Although, you can easily spend longer if you want to really take in the displays. There is a lot to read.
At the entrance manuscripts are open on pages with commentary about the beginning of the world. This is where you will see the Prose Edda. As you move further in, the area opens up to reveal three large islands surrounding a few glass display cabinets that hold the manuscripts. Some of the manuscripts are open on certain chapters, while others are closed to show the bindings or covers. A wide wall screen with animated manuscript art adds to the atmosphere of the installation. Each island has plenty of information about both the manuscripts themselves and the texts in them.
Some of the Notable Manuscripts on Display
Staðarhólsbók Grágásar (AM 334 fol.)
Dated to between 1250 – 1300, this manuscript contains Grágás (the Grey Goose). It is a collection of some of the earliest laws in Iceland after they were transmitted from oral tradition to written codes.
Codex Wormianus (AM 242 fol.)
Dated to c.1350, and one of the manuscripts that holds Snorri Sturluson’s Prose Edda. This is also one of our main sources of information about Pagan religion, mythology and Skaldic poetry. Pre-Christian stories such as Loki and Svaðilfari, and Útgarða-Loki come from the first main part of the Prose Edda, Gylfaginning.
Codex Regius (GKS 2365 4to)
Probably the most famous medieval manuscript, and dated to c.1270. It is the source of the 29 Eddic poems, known as the Poetic Edda. Included are the Hávamál (Sayings of the High One) and Völuspá (Prophecy of the Völva). The first is a collection of good advice given by the God of wisdom, Odin, while the second is the prophecy of the Twilight of the Gods, and the end of the world, Ragnarök.
These three, and others, were on display in the Edda Building when I visited.
Visitors should be aware that these manuscripts will be rotated on a regular basis due to their fragility. You can check on the Árni Magnússon Institute website to find out which manuscripts will be on display during your visit.
For those interested, these and many, many other medieval manuscripts are digitally available Handrit.is. Launched in 2010, this is an online, digital catalogue of medieval manuscripts in various public institutions in Europe and private collections. Anyone with access to the internet can browse the catalogue, which includes collections of Icelandic, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish and Faroese manuscripts, as well as some 100 texts from elsewhere on the continent. The website is available in English, Icelandic and Danish.
Practical Information
● The exhibition is closed for the festive season from the 11th December 2024 until the 7th January 2025. Opening hours are from 10h00 to 17h00, from Tuesday to Sunday (closed on Mondays).
● The exhibition is presented in both English and Icelandic. Tickets can not be purchased or booked online, so you must buy them on site, on the day of your visit (Adults 2500 kr, students 1200 kr). ‘World of Words’ is not included on the Reykjavik City Card.
● The Edda Building is less than a 20 minute walk from the centre of Reykjavik, although there is a car park next to the building. A café at the Edda Building was still under construction when I visited (December 2024). Until this opens, there are limited options to eat in the immediate vicinity: a Joe and the Juice in the petrol station across the road, and Björnsbakarí on the main road next to the National Library.
● Opposite the Edda Building, visitors can also find Iceland’s National Museum and the National Library.
● The building itself is accessible, with elevators to get to the bottom floor where the toilets and cloakroom are located. Here you will find free lockers and coat hangers to use. The gallery space has no steps, making it wheelchair friendly.
● The exhibition is suitable for children (under 18s go in free).
● Photography is allowed, but flash photography is strictly prohibited.
● There is a small gift shop at the entrance of the installation where you can buy books and themed notepads.
Is 'World in Words' Worth It?
If you are interested in medieval history, in particular the Viking Age, the exhibition is a must in my opinion. If you have ever been curious as to how we know about Odin and Thor, or the Sagas, and what our sources are for these, this is an exhibition for you.
Also, I recommend this exhibition as a companion to the Saga Museum in downtown Reykjavik. Where the Saga Museum outlines the chronological history of Iceland, from the geological creation of the island to the arrival of the first inhabitants, from the Settlement to the Reformation, this exhibition provides the background detail to this history. What makes this exhibition more compelling is that it has been created by experts and academics who want to provide accessible, well sourced information for the public. Housed in the Árni Magnússon Institute at the University of Iceland, the exhibition brings visitors close to one of the world’s foremost centres of Saga research.
Add the 'World in Words' Exhibition to Your Itineraries & Travel Lists
If you are planning a trip to Iceland, you can create your own travel lists (such as places you have been to, places you would like to visit) and an itinerary for your visit. These can also be shared with your friends and on social media. You can see how this is done by watching our Using the Itinerary video on YouTube, or reading the Using the Itinerary page.
Find more sites and museums in our Reykjavik City Guide and our Iceland Travel Guide.
World in Word Manuscript Exhibition
This long awaited exhibition delves deep into the multifaceted world of the Icelandic manuscripts. These are the sources of the Sagas and Old Norse poetry. Displayed thematically to describe the worldview of the early Icelanders, some of the most important manuscripts are being showcased here. Housed at the University of Iceland and the Árni Magnússon Institute, this authoritative exhibition has been carefully curated by experts. This intimate look at some of the most precious artifacts Iceland has produced is a must see for historians and medievalists alike.
Archaeology Travel Writer
