ELDHEIMAR MUSEUM, A VOLCANO’S LEGACY PRESERVED

Eldheimar Museum a volcano’s legacy preserved. Fish Focus’ latest feature follows our trip to the Icelandic archipelago, Vestmannaeyjar.

No visit to Vestmannaeyjar is complete without a visit to the Eldheimar Museum. Whilst the islands are steeped in history and tradition, the events that took place on Surtsey in 1963 – 1967 and the Eldfell eruption in 1973 were deeply formative of the community and seafood industry that exists today.

The displays are emotive and engaging and give you a deep insight into the events that unfolded particularly on the evening of January 23, 1973 when a fissure opened unexpectedly on the
island of Heimaey.

Founded in May 2014, Eldheimar Museum is deeply rooted in the events of the 1973 Eldfell eruption and the main exhibit was built around an excavated home, formerly at Gerðisbraut 10, that stood buried under layers of ash and lava for more than three decades. This partially preserved home, with belongings still inside, offers a poignant window into how abruptly lives were upended when residents fled Heimaey in the dead of night.

Eldheimar’s narrative unfolds through a series of interactive, low-text exhibits designed to guide visitors logically through the eruption’s story, from its unexpected onset to the rebuilding process.

Highlights include:

• Camera Stations: Visitors peer through remote-controlled cameras into the excavated house’s interior—an inspired solution given the unstable structure.
• The Wheel of Time: A hands on display where turning a wheel scrolls through the eruption’s timeline, revealing key moments and visuals .
• Sandbox Excavation: A tactile experience where digging through sand reveals photos and illustrations of buried homes—a metaphor for both literal and cultural unearthing.
• Puzzle Reconstruction: Symbolic gameplay lets visitors piece together “before and after” scenes, echoing the rebuilding process Connecting to Broader Stories.

Beyond Eldfell, the museum also explores the 1963–67 formation of Surtsey, the youngest island in the world. This exhibition highlights how scientists, aided by Eldheimar’s narrative, study ecosystems emerging on the untouched volcanic land.

Eldheimar is not just emotionally powerful—it’s also award-winning, having received the prestigious 2015 Icelandic Design Award for its compelling and thoughtful presentation.

The design ethos emphasises sensory and narrative immersion over text-heavy panels. With audio guides that adapt to your position and visuals woven throughout, the museum brings the story to life in a deeply personal way.

We will be posting an article every day, covering this amazing trip and showcasing the Icelandic Seafood industry, cutting edge aquaculture, Icelandic heritage and the hospitality of the Icelandic people. You can read the whole publication here

Images: ©Fish Focus