In the small town of Húsavík, just south of the Arctic Circle, the story of humanity’s search for the unknown is brought together under one roof. Founded in 2011 and officially opened in 2014 by Iceland’s president, The Exploration Museum (Icelandic: Könnunarsögusafnið) brings to life achievements ranging from medieval sea voyages to lunar landings.
Moon training in the landscape of Iceland
Few might associate North Iceland with astronauts, but in the mid-1960s, NASA sent Apollo crews to the volcanic wilds around Húsavík. The terrain was considered one of the world’s closest analogues to the lunar surface. American astronauts came here in 1965 and 1967 for field geology exercises, honing their ability to recognise rock formations and geologic clues. The museum’s main hall displays photographs and memorabilia from these sessions, serving as a reminder of the region’s role in preparation for Moon exploration.
On the 50th anniversary of the initial training trip, in 2015, former Apollo astronauts, Walter Cunningham, Rusty Schweickart and Harrison Schmitt, returned to the training grounds as guests of the museum. They were joined by Neil Armstrong’s grandchildren, who unveiled a monument outside the building to those who had prepared for their Moon journeys in Icelandic landscapes. Over the years, other notable visitors have included William Anders of Apollo 8, and astronaut Owen Garriott.
Vikings, polar explorers, and the worlds below
Downstairs, the story reaches further back. The second exhibition focuses on the movement of Viking explorers across the North Atlantic. Portraits and stories of figures such as Leif Ericson and Guðríður Þorbjarnardóttir illustrate the Norse urge to explore and settle distant shores. The museum highlights how these early journeys shaped both Iceland and the wider world.
Upstairs, the museum traces daring feats at the planet’s extremes. The exhibition unveils the drama of the race to the South Pole, where Norwegian Roald Amundsen’s group pipped their British rivals to the prize in December 1911. Items on display include period photographs and replicas of the equipment used by both Amundsen’s victorious team and the ill-fated expedition led by Robert Falcon Scott.
Visitors can also discover stories from above and below the surface, with sections devoted to expeditions beneath the sea and deep underground. From ancient ocean crossings to the technological challenges of exploring the seabed, the exhibits chart humanity’s efforts to probe our world’s mysteries.
Located in the centre of Húsavík at Héðinsbraut 3, The Exploration Museum acts as a bridge between Iceland’s history and the global story of curiosity and adventure.
Sources
- Wikipedia
- Wikipedia (Icelandic) in Icelandic
