Every wish you could stroll the small streets of the town you are visiting and experience life as it used to be? Pick up sweet treats at the ice cream shop, stop by the local post office to send off a letter and make small talk with everyone you meet, peek through the windows of the blacksmith to see what he was making, and wave to the friendly neighbors sitting out on their porches knitting. Doesn’t it just sound so simple and blissful?
If you are like me and think experiencing life as it use to be would be an awesome time well your in luck, this can happen with a visit to the Árbæjarsafn Open Air Museum here in Reykjavik!
Located a short drive outside of the center of Reykjavik, Árbær was once a busy little farm, but since 1957 it now serves the purpose of creating an authentic historical setting to give visitors a feel for the lifestyle in Iceland in the past.
The museum is built around the old farm however many of the houses have been moved from the city center of Reykjavik. With a town square, phone booth, farm houses and a school it really feels like stepping back in time into the middle of a charming little town.
I mean, how cute is this gas station!
During the summer months the Árbæjarsafn Open Air Museum is a buzz with exhibitions and events. Visitors can take guided tours to learn more about the history of the village and the lifestyle during that time period.
To complete the feel of truly stepping back in time employees are dressed in historical attire and carry on activities that would happen in everyday life during that time period. You will see people tending their animals, ladies knitting on the front porch, townsfolk greeting each other in the town square and men working in their workshops, a happy little town.
Sadly, when H and I visited there a few weeks ago we were only greeted to a frozen empty farm and dark clouds headed our way. Still we decided to do a little exploring of our own while H attempted to give me a run down of the history of life back then.
Imagine living in one of these sod houses! Those Icelandic people, they are some tough ones.
We will definitely be returning this summer so I can get a proper tour with the correct facts (sorry H I know you tried). But really I just want to return so I can get the full ambiance of this place with all the workers mingling about in their historical attire. The perfect way to step back in time while on a visit to Iceland!
Question of the Day?
Are you interested in learning about the past? What time period would you like to time travel to?
