This is probably the strangest museum we have ever visited. The Icelandic Phallological Museum is located in the centre of Reykjavik and contains a collection of over 200 penises from almost every land and sea mammal in Iceland, including humans.
Tweet
Share
Share
Pin
Share
ShareUnique museum
The Icelandic Phallological Museum in Reykjavik is probably the only museum in the world with a large collection of mammalian penises. The museum contains a collection of more than 250 penises from almost every land and sea mammal in Iceland.
You can see organs from different kinds of whales, seals, walruses and various land mammals, including polar bears and humans (yes, there are people who have donated this organ to the museum after their death!) The penises are stuffed or soaked in alcohol and aren't really all that interesting to look at. Still, you'll be fascinated by both the museum and the history behind it!
Founder of The Icelandic Phallological museum
Most fascinating of all is the founder, Sigurður Hjartarson, who has devoted himself wholeheartedly to this collection. Originally a history and Spanish teacher, over the years Sigurður became a completely different career. He says that the foundation was laid in 1974, when he worked as a headmaster at a school in Akranes.
Together with the teachers at the school, he discussed how everything was used on the animals in the past, and remembered that as a child he was given a bull penis to drive the animals. One of the teachers, who also worked in a slaughterhouse, made a bull penis for Sigurður. Some other teachers were working at a whaling station, and suddenly he had a few puppies too. And so the idea was gradually born ...
The museum opened in Reykjavik in 1997 and has grown steadily. The exhibition has been widely publicised in the media around the world and by the summer of 2011, 13 000 people had visited the quirky little museum.
Visit the museum?
Want to visit the Icelandic Phallological Museum in Reykjavik? The museum is located very centrally in Reykjavik, at Laugavegur 116, so it's easy to drop by. Check out phallus.is for more practical information.
Reykjavik sights - self-guided city tour
Reykjavik's attractions, what are they? When we were recently in Reykjavik, we had a hectic schedule,...
Iceland Fever - 5 reasons to love Iceland
I'm not even interested in football and yet I was glued to the England game...
Reykjavik - a city of contrasts
Today we present a guest article Reykjavik is the capital of Iceland and a very interesting city. It...
Around Iceland by car - 9 places you must see
Have you thought about travelling around Iceland by car? Recently, we've seen...
14 things to see and do in Reykjavik
Here are some tips on things to see and do in Reykjavik. The Icelandic capital is...
Horse riding in Iceland
Today it was time for our long-awaited horse riding trip in Iceland and we woke up to ... windy...
Excursion to the island of Viðey in Iceland - 1000 years of history
The island of Viðey in Iceland is located just outside Reykjavik and is easily reached by a short boat journey. In summer...
Some reflections from Iceland
Today we offer some reflections from Iceland. We have pretty much finished reporting from...
Iceland - Land of storytelling
Guest writer: Mia Ulin Iceland is worth staying on for days or weeks, but if you have...
The Icelandic language
As I've told you before, I spent a year in Iceland, and learnt that...
Activities and tips on things to do in Iceland
Today we present a guest article Iceland is a country filled with activities to explore,...
Exchange student in Iceland 1992
I was asked to tell you a bit more about my year as an exchange student in Iceland....
Þingvellir National Park in Iceland
Þingvellir National Park in Iceland is a fascinating place, whether you are interested in nature, geology,...
Facts about Iceland - 30 things you (might) not have known
Today we're bringing you facts about Iceland - 30 things you (maybe) didn't know. We...
There are 13 Santas in Iceland
Icelanders have 13 Santas! Wow, that's a lot of presents, you might think... But the Icelandic Santas...
Fish Company in Reykjavik
Today we are going to tell you about another great fish restaurant here in Reykjavik, the Fish Company. Yesterday...
Travelling by motorhome in Iceland
What is it like to travel by motorhome in Iceland? We recently wrote a post about...
Icelandic traditions: Christmas celebrations and Þorrablót
Today on FREEDOMtravel we will be talking about Icelandic traditions. A while ago I wrote...
Weekend in Reykjavik - some highlights
Here is a greeting from our weekend in Reykjavik! We have been through a lot during...
What do you pack for Iceland?
What to pack for Iceland? We are only a few days away from travelling to Iceland for...
12 volcanoes in Iceland - dramatic facts
Updated 2023 Have you experienced any of the dramatic volcanoes in Iceland? The landscape in Iceland is...
Blue Lagoon in Iceland - guide for your visit
The Blue Lagoon in Iceland offers a cosy and relaxing spa in geothermal hot water. Although...
Fish Market in Reykjavik
We had a magical dining experience yesterday at the Fish Market restaurant in Reykjavik. We ate the most...
Geysers in Iceland - Strokkur and Geysir
Have you seen geysers in Iceland? We have recently visited the Haukadalur geothermal area with the geysers...
Gullfoss in Iceland - The Golden Circle and its waterfalls
Gullfoss in Iceland is an incredibly dramatic waterfall that can be seen during the Golden Waterfall tour....
Food and Fun Reykjavik Festival - Iceland's gourmet week
The Food and Fun Reykjavik festival is definitely a reason to visit Iceland's capital during February/March....
What do you eat in Iceland? - 15 Icelandic specialities
What do you actually eat in Iceland? We list 15 Icelandic specialities and share our experiences...
You might also like:
Visiting Skansen - open-air museum in Stockholm
Naval museum in Karlskrona - naval history, submarines, ships
IKEA Museum in Älmhult - fascinating about a department store
Visiting Mannaminne in Nordingrå - a different kind of open-air museum
Things to do in Kristinestad - 15 tips for a Finnish wooden house idyll
English (UK) 
Svenska 
Deutsch 
Suomi 
Polski
s p i n d e l t j e j e n (and little Pyret in the belly) says:
Hahaha, Gaymasen (gaymasen.se) blogged about that place when he was in Iceland last summer :))
11 September 2012 - 18:27
pocket hexane says:
Hm, I'll tell the husband about this post, it sounds like he might have something to say about it...<;-p because I'm completely stunned...is such a museum really necessary? Would be interesting to hear what the creators of the place have to say about it?
I just thought I'd pop in to see if you have any idea which authors are on "G" in Iceland (well, apart from Arnaldur Indriðason who is the only one from the country I've read...and maybe some of Snorri's edda too).
The fact is that our little house on wheels will take me and my husband to Gbrg and the Book Fair at the end of the month and this year's theme is "Nordic Literature" and I, being both half-Danish and half-Finnish, have a pretty good idea of the other Nordic authors except for the Icelandic ones.
So PL, come up with some suggestions on what is read in the country, that would be really cute!
Hugs from someone who just loves the photos you have taken, especially the Cultural Centre is awesome!!! /Pockethexan himself!
11 September 2012 - 19:47
Lennart says:
There is so much to see in Iceland!
Don't forget to swim!
Live well!
11 September 2012 - 21:01
admin says:
Pockethexan, I don't really know about it, but I'll have a look next time we pass a bookshop. I'll get back to you! By the way, I'm a little curious about your husband's possible thoughts on this, not quite ordinary, museum ...
😉
Lennart, of course we should not forget to swim! Tomorrow there will be a bath!
🙂
11 September 2012 - 23:34