Sigrun Þormar
Certified travel blogger
My blogs
Spring weather in February !
The weather this winter, and specially in February has been unusually mild. No reason absolutly for visitors not to take a trip outside the capital and see the lovely waterfalls here in the West and to visit our interesting museums. Remember, Iceland is not just Reykjavík :)
The Far Traveler - The voyages of a Viking Woman
I am a great fan of Nancy Marie Browns books. She has written a very good book about my employe, Snorri Sturlusson, and another one of my favorite books, the story of Guðríður Þorbjarnardóttir. The book can be purchased here in the Snorrastofa Bookstore, and in the US at www.harcourtbooks.com "Five hundred years before Columbus, a Viking Woman named Guðríður sailed off the edge of the known world. She landed in the New World and lived there for three years, giving birth to a son before sailing home. Or so the Icelandic sagas say. Even after archeologist found a Viking longhouse in Newfon
Snorrastofa of Snorri Sturluson
The roads are fine if you are looking for a daytour from Reykjavík. We are open all weekdays from 10 to 17 hours. Remember our fine souvenir shop with focus on books, cd's and Icelandic design and handcraft. The most distinctive antiquity in Reykholt is the pool of Snorri Sturluson, called Snorralaug. The pool and the water conduit, leading water from a nearby hot spring, date back to the 10th century and are maybe the oldest preserved constructions in Iceland. (Photographer Guðlaugur Óskarsson)
The Norwegian king Harald in Reykholt 29th of July 2000
Snorrastofa in Reykholt was established in the honor of Snorri Sturluson. The King of Norway Harald V, came and opened Snorrastofa with Iceland's president Olafur Ragnar Grimsson. The opening was on the 29th of July year 2000. The Battle of Stiklestad" was on the 29th of July 1030, it is one of the most famous battles in the history of Norway. In this battle, King Olaf II, later canonized, was killed. On this picture joining King Harald and President Ólafur is priest Geir Waage.
Skógarfoss in Winter Wonderland Iceland
Iceland is always beautiful, no matter which time of the year. This picture was taken by my son, Gunnar Freyr Gunnarsson, yesterday in sunny winterland in the south of Iceland. He has been ice-climbing on Mýrdalsjökull with his Danish friend, who is visiting Iceland for Easter :)
Golden ring for sale in Snorrastofa Gift shop
Gold ring The ring found in the chancel of the medieval church at Reykholt is 18 carat. It is beaten into shape, widest and convex on the top with upturned edges and acanthus leaf decoration in the Romansque style. Internal diameter is 19 mm, date c 1500. It is possible that the ring was made in Iceland. The original is kept in the National Museum of Iceland. The ring is available in different sizes and sold in the Snorrastofa Gift shop. Please contact us at gestastofa@snorrastofa.is ( photo by Guðlaugur Óskarsson)
Góa - Konudagur / Women's Day on the 22nd of February 2015
In Iceland we celebrate women´s day on the first day of Góa, the 5th winter month of the old Norse calendar. Earlier, in the medieval times, it was between 8th and 14th of February. This year, the month of Góa begins on the 22nd of February. Góa is a personification of winter, the wife of king Þorri, and known in the Nordic culture since ages back. There are indications of a blót in the honour of Góa, the " Góublót", a celebration held in late winter in olden times, and still held in some parts of Iceland. Just want to mention the annual Góu fest of the housewife association in Hálsasveit (
Conversion of St. Paul / Pálsmessa
The feast of Conversion of St. Paul / Pálsmessa falls on Sunday January 25.th. This day has during centuries been connected with weather predictions! In Iceland, ravens were said to settle down on farms for the winter where they were often fed. The raven has a strong reputation of being a wise bird, and there are many stories of ravens saving the farm people from landslides and other disasters. The following old verses refers more to the continental weather in January than icelandic: If St. Pauls be fine and clear it betides a happy year. But if it changes to snow or rain, dear will
Bóndadagur / Þorraþræll
How do we survive the last days of winter in Iceland? It's not always easy I can tell you! Yesterday the forth winter month (in the old Icelandic calendar) began, this month is called "Þorri". Þorri marks the half way point of winter!! Þorri begins on a Friday, this Friday is called "Bóndadagur" which means "Farmers Day". "Bóndi" is often used in the meaning "husband". My colleagues and neighbours often ask me how my "bóndi" is? or … "Give my best regards to your Bóndi" referring to my husband, whom is not a farmer at all and knows little about farming. The Icelandic langu
Snorrastofa Reykholt this week ( week 49 )
This week in Snorrastofa ( week 49) we are open, as usual, all weekdays from 10 to 17 hours. Notice Thursday ( 4th December) evening a concert in Reykholt church at 8 pm. The concert will be influenced by Christmas and can really be recommended. We are getting into the Christmas mood in the Snorrastofa guest reception, so if you are looking for a gift for someone very special, this is the place to shop. And by the way, yes she bought the beautiful necklace she is holding in front of her in the picture below :)
My blogs
Spring weather in February !
The weather this winter, and specially in February has been unusually mild. No reason absolutly for visitors not to take a trip outside the capital and see the lovely waterfalls here in the West and to visit our interesting museums. Remember, Iceland is not just Reykjavík :)
The Far Traveler - The voyages of a Viking Woman
I am a great fan of Nancy Marie Browns books. She has written a very good book about my employe, Snorri Sturlusson, and another one of my favorite books, the story of Guðríður Þorbjarnardóttir. The book can be purchased here in the Snorrastofa Bookstore, and in the US at www.harcourtbooks.com "Five hundred years before Columbus, a Viking Woman named Guðríður sailed off the edge of the known world. She landed in the New World and lived there for three years, giving birth to a son before sailing home. Or so the Icelandic sagas say. Even after archeologist found a Viking longhouse in Newfon
Snorrastofa of Snorri Sturluson
The roads are fine if you are looking for a daytour from Reykjavík. We are open all weekdays from 10 to 17 hours. Remember our fine souvenir shop with focus on books, cd's and Icelandic design and handcraft. The most distinctive antiquity in Reykholt is the pool of Snorri Sturluson, called Snorralaug. The pool and the water conduit, leading water from a nearby hot spring, date back to the 10th century and are maybe the oldest preserved constructions in Iceland. (Photographer Guðlaugur Óskarsson)
The Norwegian king Harald in Reykholt 29th of July 2000
Snorrastofa in Reykholt was established in the honor of Snorri Sturluson. The King of Norway Harald V, came and opened Snorrastofa with Iceland's president Olafur Ragnar Grimsson. The opening was on the 29th of July year 2000. The Battle of Stiklestad" was on the 29th of July 1030, it is one of the most famous battles in the history of Norway. In this battle, King Olaf II, later canonized, was killed. On this picture joining King Harald and President Ólafur is priest Geir Waage.
Skógarfoss in Winter Wonderland Iceland
Iceland is always beautiful, no matter which time of the year. This picture was taken by my son, Gunnar Freyr Gunnarsson, yesterday in sunny winterland in the south of Iceland. He has been ice-climbing on Mýrdalsjökull with his Danish friend, who is visiting Iceland for Easter :)
Golden ring for sale in Snorrastofa Gift shop
Gold ring The ring found in the chancel of the medieval church at Reykholt is 18 carat. It is beaten into shape, widest and convex on the top with upturned edges and acanthus leaf decoration in the Romansque style. Internal diameter is 19 mm, date c 1500. It is possible that the ring was made in Iceland. The original is kept in the National Museum of Iceland. The ring is available in different sizes and sold in the Snorrastofa Gift shop. Please contact us at gestastofa@snorrastofa.is ( photo by Guðlaugur Óskarsson)
Góa - Konudagur / Women's Day on the 22nd of February 2015
In Iceland we celebrate women´s day on the first day of Góa, the 5th winter month of the old Norse calendar. Earlier, in the medieval times, it was between 8th and 14th of February. This year, the month of Góa begins on the 22nd of February. Góa is a personification of winter, the wife of king Þorri, and known in the Nordic culture since ages back. There are indications of a blót in the honour of Góa, the " Góublót", a celebration held in late winter in olden times, and still held in some parts of Iceland. Just want to mention the annual Góu fest of the housewife association in Hálsasveit (
Conversion of St. Paul / Pálsmessa
The feast of Conversion of St. Paul / Pálsmessa falls on Sunday January 25.th. This day has during centuries been connected with weather predictions! In Iceland, ravens were said to settle down on farms for the winter where they were often fed. The raven has a strong reputation of being a wise bird, and there are many stories of ravens saving the farm people from landslides and other disasters. The following old verses refers more to the continental weather in January than icelandic: If St. Pauls be fine and clear it betides a happy year. But if it changes to snow or rain, dear will
Bóndadagur / Þorraþræll
How do we survive the last days of winter in Iceland? It's not always easy I can tell you! Yesterday the forth winter month (in the old Icelandic calendar) began, this month is called "Þorri". Þorri marks the half way point of winter!! Þorri begins on a Friday, this Friday is called "Bóndadagur" which means "Farmers Day". "Bóndi" is often used in the meaning "husband". My colleagues and neighbours often ask me how my "bóndi" is? or … "Give my best regards to your Bóndi" referring to my husband, whom is not a farmer at all and knows little about farming. The Icelandic langu
Snorrastofa Reykholt this week ( week 49 )
This week in Snorrastofa ( week 49) we are open, as usual, all weekdays from 10 to 17 hours. Notice Thursday ( 4th December) evening a concert in Reykholt church at 8 pm. The concert will be influenced by Christmas and can really be recommended. We are getting into the Christmas mood in the Snorrastofa guest reception, so if you are looking for a gift for someone very special, this is the place to shop. And by the way, yes she bought the beautiful necklace she is holding in front of her in the picture below :)
Photos by me
Download Iceland’s biggest travel marketplace to your phone to manage your entire trip in one place
Scan this QR code with your phone camera and press the link that appears to add Iceland’s biggest travel marketplace into your pocket. Enter your phone number or email address to receive an SMS or email with the download link.
