The small town Borgarnes is located at the shore of Borgarfjörður and is the service and trade centre for the neighbouring area.
In 2006, Borgarnes added a significant feature to its historical importance when the Settlement Centre of Iceland was opened to the public. Housed in the town’s oldest building, the Centre is, as the name suggests, dedicated to the settlement of the country over a thousand years ago.
There are two permanent exhibitions presented in the museum all year round. The main floor houses the exhibition The Settlement of Iceland, which shows the birth of the nation in detail. By using various forms of multimedia, models and artefacts, the exhibition manages to recreate the old community and offers an adventurous insight into the way society developed from the early settlers to the establishment of Alþingi. In the basement of the centre is an innovative exhibition dedicated to Egill Skallagrímsson, which retells the story of his life and legacy in a very amusing way. Audio guides for both exhibitions are available in different languages.
During the summer months, the Settlement Centre will organize guided tours around the Borgarnes area, visiting many of the places mentioned in Egils Saga. Such a tour should be an even greater experience for those now addicted to the Icelandic heroes. Adding to all this is the pleasure of dining at the fine restaurant located next to the Settlement Centre, where guests can enjoy traditional Icelandic dishes before continuing to the next destination.
Before leaving Borgarnes, there is one more place that deserves to be visited: the botanic public park Skallagrímsgarður, where Skallagrímur himself was laid to rest.
Car provided by Hertz.
Tel: 522-4400