The history of Ísafjörður is inevitably linked to the fishing industry, which is well represented at the Westfjords Heritage Museum (Ísafjörður Maritime Museum).
A beautifully restored 1784 salt fish warehouse houses the museum in a location called Neðstikaupstaður or Neðsti for short. Before it used to be a trading site for fish and other goods, as it was close to the harbour. Various other buildings are located on the same spot, which gives the impression of walking into a tiny historical village.
Permanent Exhibits
Permanent exhibits trace the development of the town and its fishing industry with displays of various nautical equipment. As a result, most of the museum collection consists of diverse historical things related to the fisheries and the fishing industry around the Westfjords. The museums’s focus on preserving old boats using old methods has given new life to fifteen different boats which the museum oversees. The Westfjords Heritage Museum also owns a large collection of accordions, 140 in fact. (Although only a few of them are on display at any given time.)
Recreation of daily life
During the summer time, a local youth theatre group recreates daily life in the beginning of the 19th century. Dressed in the Icelandic national costume, the young people sing, dance and read poems to visitors. At the adjacent museum restaurant, visitors can see the traditional ‘sun-drying’ method for drying cod.
Opening hours of the Westfjords Heritage Museum
1st May – 31st August: Daily 10 am – 17 (5 pm)
1st September – 15th September: 11 am – 15 (3pm)
Rest of the year: Upon request
Where is the Westfjords Heritage Museum?
It is located close to the harbour in Isafjordur in a beautiful black wooden house.
