Westfjords
An interesting place to travel to and visit
Dangerous accidents at sea down the ages
Látrabjarg, one of the country’s largest bird nesting cliffs, is near the museum, which features many objects linked to Látrabjarg’s natural resources. Although the cliffs have been a bountiful food chest, they are equally known as the site of accidents, and many fishermen have perished there down the ages. The heroic rescue effort at Látrabjarg is well documented in the museum.
The Sargon rescue in 1948
Objects from the trawler Sargon, which was stranded below Hafnarmúlinn, are in the museum and a re-enacted documentary film about The Heroic Rescue Effort at Látrabjarg is also shown, but part of the film was shot when Sargon was stranded.
Memorial
The government had a memorial raised to commemorate the sea accidents which have happened in Rauðasandshreppur. It is well worth the effort to walk up to the memorial and look over the countryside to get a feel for the ocean’s fury.
Opening hours
The museum is open every day from 10:00 to 18:00. The museum is open only in summer from 1 June to 15 September.
The museum may be opened on request at other hours by contacting the museum director, telephone 456 1569 and 456 1514.
Enquiries can also be e-mailed to museum@hnjotur.is. museum@hnjotur.is
Schedule of events 2008
June 2008
At the end of June, ethnologist Margrét Gunnlaugsdóttir will sew sails in the museum at Hnjótur. This is an ideal opportunity to have a look at how sail sewing is done, but there are many objects related to such sewing in the museum.
July 2008
July 13 is the Icelandic museum day, and admission to the museum is free.
August 2008
On 10 August, historian Heiðrún Konráðsdóttir will discuss Flatey’s trade history.
August–September 2008
At the end of August, the summer’s harvest will be celebrated with a programme which will be announced closer to the date.
The Egill Ólafsson Museum at Hnjótur , Örlygshöfn, Phone: 4561511, e-mail: museum@hnjotur.is, Webdesing: Emstrur