Hólmavík
A small fishing town in the Icelandic Westfjords, with the Museum of Icelandic Sorcery and Witchcraft.
Practised and told of here
Best time: June to August.
Iceland had about 120 trials for sorcery in the seventeenth century, and the Westfjords had more than their share. The accused were nearly all men, which is unusual in Europe. The museum, which opened in 2000, was set up to tell the history of those trials and the magic that people believed in.
The Westfjords trials
Of about 120 cases, roughly 10 were women. Around 21 men and one woman were burned. Most of the magic was related to written or carved signs, called galdrastafir, and to the belief that sorcerers could cause harm by sending ghosts.
The museum
It displays reproductions of staves, and a pair of 'necropants', made from a dead man's skin, according to a legend of the region. The necropants are a copy, since the tale is a local tradition and not a proven practice.
Visiting
Hólmavík is about three hours by road from Reykjavik. The museum is small and has an English guide.
A respectful visit to Hólmavík
Living communities are not a show. Ask before photographing a person or a ceremony, and follow local rules.
- Museum of Icelandic Sorcery and Witchcraft Read the cases and see the staves.
- Kotbýli kuklarans Visit the replica sorcerer's cottage.
- The harbour Walk the working fishing port.
Written by the EveryJaadu desk with AI assistance. Background: "Hólmavík" on Wikipedia. Opening hours, markets and ceremonies change; check locally before travelling. If something is wrong, tell us.
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