Icelandic Phallological Museum, Phallological museum in Reykjavík, Iceland
The Icelandic Phallological Museum, at Laugavegur 116 in Reykjavík, displays about 280 specimens from 93 mammal species in seven sections, including whales, bears, seals and land mammals. A glass cylinder on a dark plinth holds a long pale tapered specimen lit from below, and wall posters show drawings of marine animals beneath a sign reading "DISCOVERY" and "WHALES".
Sigurður Hjartarson established the museum in 1997 after he had begun collecting anatomical objects from different animal species during his youth. The institution later moved from its original location into a larger space in central Reykjavík.
The museum carries the Icelandic name Hið Íslenzka Reðasafn and addresses a subject rarely displayed openly anywhere in the world. Visitors encounter scientific specimens in a straightforward setting that presents the topic without taboo or drama.
The museum is at Laugavegur 116 on Reykjavík's main shopping street, open daily from 10:00 to 18:00 with no closing days. The exhibition is arranged in seven sections by animal group, from whales and bears to seals, land mammals and a folklore section, so visitors can follow the numbered route through the rooms.
The collection ranges from a sperm whale specimen measuring 170 centimeters in length to a tiny hamster bone visible only under magnification. Some objects are attributed to legendary Icelandic beings such as elves and trolls, although their existence has never been proven.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 92,283 contributors worldwide.
