La maison de la culture

Despite the Culture House being the complete opposite colour of the National Theatre, the two still share one important goal: bringing knowledge to the public. And that’s not a difficult task when you’re the result of a collaboration between the National Museum, the National Gallery, and four other cultural institutions. Inside, you’ll find exhibitions organised by themes, exploring Iceland’s artistic and cultural history from colonisation to the present. Among the most priceless pieces are 14th-century manuscripts, contemporary artworks, and even the skeleton of a great auk, a bird species now extinct. Together, these artifacts help trace the country’s origins, environment, and path of evolution. Before you move on, you might have noticed inscriptions on the building’s facade—know that they are all connected. Those above the windows belong to national literary figures, including Snorri Sturluson, the most important medieval Scandinavian writer. The one above the entrance reveals the building’s original purpose when it opened in 1908: to house Iceland’s National Library—a mission that has since evolved.