Exclusive Courses
An Evening with the Specialists
Small-group evening courses on Icelandic manuscripts and folk magic, taught by leading specialists.
Duration
60 to 90 min
Group size
Up to 6
Booking
1 month ahead
The Format
Hands-on Study with Leading Specialists
The exclusive courses are taught by leading specialists in Icelandic cultural history. They are designed for guests who want a deeper, hands-on understanding of Iceland’s intellectual and spiritual heritage, in a small-group format that is intensive but accessible.
Each course offers something rarely accessible to the public: direct engagement with rare materials, in conversation with someone who has spent years studying them. Two courses are currently offered.
Course One
Icelandic Manuscripts and the Old Tongue
This course introduces participants to Icelandic manuscripts and Old Icelandic, the medieval language closest to the tongue the Vikings spoke.
Through direct engagement with manuscripts, participants explore how this language shaped the sagas, law codes, world-famous poetry, and historical records that preserved Iceland’s history and influenced scholars and writers worldwide.
Participants do not need prior knowledge of Old Icelandic. Those who arrive with some familiarity will find the session rewards it.
Course Two
Magic in Iceland: Symbols, Charms, and Practice
This course explores the traditions of Icelandic magic, examining how magical symbols, charms, and rituals were used for protection, power, navigation, healing, and survival.
Participants gain insight into the cultural and historical context of these practices, separating myth from documented tradition while understanding their role in everyday life and belief systems.
The course draws on primary sources, including manuscripts and printed editions in the collection. Some of the material is genuinely rare.
This is not a lecture.
You sit at a small table with the instructor and a few other guests, in front of pages that have been read by candlelight for centuries. The instructor is a working scholar who has spent years with these texts. You ask questions. You handle the source.
Study at the source.
From Our Guests
Recent Reviews
“This was a one-of-a-kind experience! Eyþór shared precious books, maps, and manuscript pages from his collection, explaining their significance and how he restores them. We were especially interested in the sagas, and we did not leave disappointed! Being able to touch and examine these precious works was truly incredible. Thank you!!!”
– Wendy P., TripAdvisor“What a great experience! If you are interested in old books and manuscripts, and how they can be recovered and repaired this is the place for you. We got to see and to hold some amazing old texts, including a first edition of the saga of Viga Glum from 1785, Njal’s saga from 1772, and many others. The owner is really knowledgeable and enthusiastic, and clearly loves sharing his experiences with others. Highly recommended.”
– Martin E., Connecticut, USABooking
Arrange Your Course
Each course is arranged in conversation with Eyþór, who will discuss your interests, suggest a focus, and find a time that suits. Email to begin.
Group size
Up to 6 guests
Duration
60 to 90 minutes
Price
250,000 ISK
Booking
1 month in advance
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