A protected wooden church dating from 1905, a museum dedicated to Icelandic agriculture, and wetlands that provide a habitat for numerous bird species: Hvanneyri brings together cultural history and nature watching. Two themes are especially interesting when planning a trip: church art, agricultural heritage and crafts on the one hand, and Andakíll and its birdlife on the other.

Church, Architecture and Agricultural Heritage

Hvanneyrarkirkja is a protected wooden church dating from 1905. Inside is an oil painting by Brynjólfur Þórðarson, created as an altarpiece in 1924. The year the church was built and the date of the altarpiece provide different points of reference for church art in Hvanneyri.

Hvanneyrartorfan is also a protected area designated by the Heritage Foundation. Its architectural qualities lie not only in the individual buildings: they also include their setting, how they are arranged in relation to one another, the spaces between them and the architecture itself. Understanding the character of the area therefore means considering how the buildings and spaces work together, as well as the design of individual buildings.

The Agricultural Museum of Iceland presents Iceland’s agricultural heritage and explains the history of Icelandic agriculture. The museum is home to Iceland’s largest collection of agricultural machinery, with items dating back to 1880. The museum also includes a visitor centre for the birdlife of Andakíll. Agriculture and nature thus meet here as distinct themes, without describing the same visitor experience.

Ullarselið – Wool Centre in Hvanneyri offers another perspective on crafts. Traditional and modern methods are used there to work Icelandic wool and other natural Icelandic materials by hand. A range of handmade goods is available. This adds a distinct focus on materials and craftsmanship to the themes of church and agricultural history.

Wetlands and Birdlife in Andakíll

The Andakíll Nature Reserve protects diverse wetlands and the habitats of numerous bird species around Hvanneyri. It provides the public with access to nature watching and environmental education. The protected area covers a total of 3,085.3 hectares, with its boundaries extending across the grounds of Hvanneyri. The Hvanneyri floodplains are a separate area: they cover more than 200 hectares.

Around 40 breeding bird species have been recorded in the nature reserve. The grounds of Hvanneyri are also an important habitat for the barnacle goose. An estimated up to 10 percent of the Greenland population stop there in spring and autumn. These figures refer to two different seasonal considerations: spring and autumn refer to when the geese stop there; the request to take particular care on the walking trail applies during the breeding season, from 20 April to 20 July.

Walking Trail and Consideration for Wildlife

The Hvanneyri walking trail starts at the car park of the Agricultural Museum of Iceland and continues toward LBHÍ and the Andakílsá. Dogs and cats must not be allowed to roam freely in the walking trail area. During the breeding season, from 20 April to 20 July, visitors to the Hvanneyri walking trail are asked to take particular care around the birdlife in the protected area.

Discover more destinations: Hellnar, Arnarstapi, Brimilsvellir, Grundarfjördur, Borgarnes, Skorradalur, Leirá, Álftanes

For the broader travel overview: Vesturland.