500 years before Columbus

The Saga of the Greenlanders and the Saga of Erik the Red tell of how Nordic people settled in Greenland, discovered new lands in America and tried to settle there. They also tell of Nordic relations with the natives there and of the first European born in the New World. Modern archaeological research suggests that these stories are based on true historical events.

About a thousand years ago Nordic people sailed west from Iceland. Eric the Red went to Greenland, making him the first Nordic man to do so. When his son, Leif the Lucky (Leifur Eiríksson), grew up he sailed westward from Greenland and found America 500 years before Columbus.

These stories are brought to life on the upper floor of Leifsbúð, where an audio guide will lead you through the exhibition. The tour includes maps, interactive exhibits and works of art that illustrate the dramatic and exciting tale.

The first part of the exhibition focuses on setting the stage for the sagas and the archaeological evidence supporting them. The latter part of the exhibition tells the stories themselves, bringing the characters to life through the art.

The audio guide is available in 4 languages – Icelandic, English, German and French.