The National Museum of Iceland presents a various interesting exhibitions and a permanent exhibition providing information about Iceland's past from the first Viking settlers to the current modern culture. The permanent exhibition has approximately 2,000 objects discovered in several parts of Iceland, but one stands above the rest. The Valþjófsstaður door is treasured by many as it features detailed engravings from the medieval times illustrating scenes from the legendary tale of knight Le Chevalier au Lion from the 12th century.
Heritage and History in Iceland
'Making of a Nation - Heritage and History in Iceland' is the National Museum of Iceland's permanent exhibition and provides information about the history from the first Icelandic settlements to the current day.
The exhibition casts light to the Icelanders' past with approximately 2,000 objects and 1,000 photographs from the first settlements to the present day. The cultural heritage is presented in the museum and is guided by the question "What makes a nation?". The exhibition takes the viewer through time by beginning with an ocean crossing ship in which the first settlers arrived in Iceland and ending in a modern airport which is the Icelander door to the world.