Nesstofa The Medical History Museum

Nesstofa Museum in Seltjarnarnes is the home of Bjarni Pálsson, Iceland’s first Director of Public Health.  It was built in 1760 by the Danish king for the Icelandic people, who were under Denmark at that time.  It is made up of a combination of Icelandic basalt and Danish lime, and under the architect Jacob Fortling, a German Danish.

All the medical people used to live in Nesstofa, including the pharmacists, midwives, their staff and family.  

An apotek (pharmacy) based on written descriptions was rebuilt inside the museum.  

This summer of 2016, there is an art exhibit in Nesstofa called Brjostdropar.  It is by eight all women artists, and they try to relate their work to Nesstofa, being the house of the first doctor of Iceland.

Here are a few photos.

Picture - Museum of Memories by Gudbjorg Lind Jonsdottir

Drawings by Ana Joa

Morgun, Dagur, Nott (Morning, Day, Night) by Kristin Geirsdottir

Umbreyting (Transformation) by Bryndis Jónsdottir

Things from her mother by Kristín Jónsdottir

Before the crash by Hildur Margrétardóttir.  This is also the laboratory of the first doctor.

Repetition and Plast by Hlif Ásgrímsdóttir

Spuni by Ólöf Oddgeirsdóttir.  This is also the original cabinet of Bjarni Pálsson, aged 300 years old.

Outside of the museum is a medicinal garden, just like at the time of the first doctor.  It has medicinal plants and what they call superfoods.  Food was also a medicine at the time of Bjarni Pálsson.

Apotekararos in bloom at the garden

Nesstofa is open only in the summer.  Hours are 1300-1700 daily except Mondays.  Entrance is free of charge.  Additionally, pokemons have been found in Nesstofa.