Written as Draugasetrið in Icelandic, Draugasetrid was located in the small fishing village of Stokkseyri on the southern coast of Iceland. The village is approximately 40 miles (65 kilometers) southeast of Reykjavik and is easily accessible via Iceland's Ring Road.
Please note that the Ghost Center is permanently closed to visitors. If you're planning a trip to Stokkseyri, you can still explore the village's coastal scenery and other nearby attractions, but the museum is no longer open to the public.
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The museum's former location in Stokkseyri offered visitors a chance to explore the fascinating world of Icelandic folklore alongside the natural beauty and charm of this small coastal village.
Draugasetrid was more commonly known to travelers as the Ghost Center because of its focus on local supernatural beings. The center was dedicated to Icelandic folklore, specifically ghost stories passed down through generations. It offered an immersive experience that combined storytelling, special effects, and a spooky atmosphere to bring different tales to life.
What To See in the Ghost Center of Stokkseyri?
As one of the unique attractions in Iceland, guests could expect to see exciting yet spooky displays while exploring Draugasetrid. It sat on a 10,763-square-foot (1,000-square-meter) ghost maze, built to resemble a haunted house.
Inside the Ghost Center, visitors could engage with interactive elements to help them understand the stories and cultural context that shaped the country's rich folklore. The center featured several rooms dedicated to different ghost stories from Icelandic folklore.
These stories were brought to life through animatronics, sound effects, multimedia displays, and atmospheric lighting, creating an immersive and spooky experience. There were also recreations of ghosts and their habitats through sculptures, rocks, and other objects.
To understand the stories and displays, visitors could use the facility's audio guides in English, Chinese, German, Japanese, French, and other languages.
In addition, there was a snack bar near the entrance of Draugasetrid, where visitors could buy alcoholic drinks, coffee, snacks, and souvenirs.
Popular Ghost Stories Featured in the Draugasetrid Museum
The Ghost Center in Stokkseyri featured 24 ghost stories that had haunted Iceland for centuries. While the specific ghost stories and exhibits at the Ghost Center in Stokkseyri could change over time, many of these well-known Icelandic ghost stories and supernatural beings remained part of the museum's collection.
One of the most famous ghost stories featured there was about the Deacon of Dark River or Djakninn a Myrka. This ghost story was about a deacon who died in an accident while trying to cross a river to visit his lover. After his death, he returned as a ghost and continued to see her, not realizing he was dead.
Other popular stories in the haunted museum included Selkolla and the Mori ghost. While Selkolla was a woman who could transform into a seal, the Mori ghost was a vengeful ghost who haunted the occupants of a farm in southern Iceland.
How To Travel to the Ghost Center in Stokkseyri
The most convenient way to reach the former Ghost Center location in Stokkseyri was by private car from Reykjavik. Visitors could take Route 1, or the Ring Road, southeastward from the Icelandic capital before crossing Route 39.
From there, they could travel along Route 34 before reaching Route 33, which led to the village of Stokkseyri.
The drive usually took about an hour, depending on traffic and stops along the way. However, the Ghost Center is now permanently closed, so visitors cannot access the museum.
Attractions To Visit Near the Ghost Center in South Iceland
Although the Ghost Center is permanently closed, Stokkseyri and the surrounding area still offer attractions worth visiting. One unique museum in the village is the Icelandic Wonders.
The museum focuses on Icelandic elves, locally known as "Huldufolk," believed to live in rocks and hills throughout the country. Many Icelanders still deeply respect these hidden beings and consider them an essential part of the cultural heritage.
On the other hand, a trip to the South Coast offers the opportunity to see two of the most breathtaking waterfalls in Iceland. Just over an hour's drive from the former museum location, you can visit Seljalandsfoss waterfall and Skogafoss waterfalls, both known for their impressive 200-foot (60-meter) cascades.
