War and Peace Museum
War and Peace Museum
4.5
About
War and Peace Museum are open from May 15 to Sep 15. Hvalfjördur has an important occupational history that tells the story from 1940 to 1945. At the War and Peace Museum you will find an exciting exhibition of items connected to the war and the history and culture of Hvalfjördur during that time.
Duration: < 1 hour
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
44 reviews
Excellent
34
Very good
6
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
3
NorthStar18973129414
2 contributions
Jun 2024 • Family
We were there in early June 2024. I would never consider this a museum. It is a hoarder's collection of old stuff. There were several plaques around the space that talked about Britain occupying Iceland in 1941 and the US occupying it 1942-43. It also talked about the base and the surrounding area in Iceland. Not much else was discussed and the information was repeated verbatim in several other places.
None of the "artifacts" were displayed neatly nor were they well organized. Many items were clearly newer than WWII. In fact, while we were there, we watched two people go through stuff in several boxes. They would take items from the box and put them on display immediately without any research or authentication.
We have been to WWII museums all over the world. Honestly, this one is a disgrace to Iceland and WWII.
None of the "artifacts" were displayed neatly nor were they well organized. Many items were clearly newer than WWII. In fact, while we were there, we watched two people go through stuff in several boxes. They would take items from the box and put them on display immediately without any research or authentication.
We have been to WWII museums all over the world. Honestly, this one is a disgrace to Iceland and WWII.
Written June 14, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gudmundur_Ofnir
Reykjavik, Iceland8 contributions
Aug 2015 • Friends
The Museum is located in the center of Hvalfjörur (Whale Bay) where the skip convoy gatered prior to the last part of the convoy to the Soviet Union under heavy attack from German submarines and war ships. I found the atmosphere and the sense of the situation in the war as soon as I came in there.
The Director of the War Museum took us on a journey to the time of the war and gave detailed story of the situation of people and equipment durng the war. This museum is a must to see.
The Wall Street International Magazine has a story which can describe Iceland during World War II and its impact on the country.
http://wsimag.com/economy-and-politics/6575-iceland-during-world-war-ii
The Director of the War Museum took us on a journey to the time of the war and gave detailed story of the situation of people and equipment durng the war. This museum is a must to see.
The Wall Street International Magazine has a story which can describe Iceland during World War II and its impact on the country.
http://wsimag.com/economy-and-politics/6575-iceland-during-world-war-ii
Written September 10, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ragna R
2 contributions
Aug 2015 • Friends
The War and Peace museum in Hvalfjordur is a hidden GEM among museums in Iceland. I thought I knew something about the British settlement in Iceland in 1940, but I was very much surprised to see all the information you come upon, as you walk through the museum. You learn about the life of the soldier in Iceland and the communication and friendship they made with the locals. You feel that the soldiers have just left the building as you look upon sleeping bags, beds, gasmasks, clothing and armor. And you wonder about all the little items that have been collected, showing personal lives of the soldier, his shaving brush, glasses or personal letters. A must see museum.
Written September 2, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kirsten E
Copenhagen, Denmark46 contributions
Aug 2017 • Family
During the Second World War The Allies had a naval base at the bottom of the fjord. For about eighteen months from summer 1941 , the convoys from USA and England had a stopover on their way to Sovjet. The world largest warships also came into the deep fjord for fueling and to escort and protect the convoys from attacks from German submarines and battleships. Today only the wind - and the little War & Peace Museum on the hillside can tell the story about the time, when thousands of English and American soldiers occupied the fjord. Inside is a rare and interesting exhibition of uniforms, guns, clothes an photos, showing how allmost while Vera Lynn is singing "We´ll meet again". You can have lunch and watching videos from the time and a special unit is reserved HMS Hood, a 48.000 ton British Naval battlecruiser, which was sunk in The Danmarks Stræde just outside Reykjanes peninsula. Only three sailors survived
Written September 26, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jason K
San Leandro, CA272 contributions
Mar 2016 • Couples
As you drive up the fjord, you see the mountains and open waters, then in the museum you see photos of the military presence that filled this part of Iceland. The military presence was an occupying force which changed hands several times, from German, to English, and lastly the US. Jointly with the US and the British during WW2 the Soviets had a presence as well. Iceland was a strategic location in global battles, both hot and cold. The owners are very friendly and are ensdureing this piece of history is not forgotten. Worth the visit.
Written March 19, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks so much for taking the time out of your schedule to visit the War and Peace Museum. I am pleased that you feel this piece of history is not forgotten and we thank you for your great stories.
Written March 22, 2016
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
the_oleander
Asheville, NC26 contributions
Jul 2016 • Couples
My father served in the US Navy in Iceland in WW II, and I sought out the War and Peace Museum to learn more about his experience. It's off the beaten track in Hjalfjordur and is a very Icelandic, informal, DIY kind of museum packed to the gills with what seem to be artifacts from friends and neighbors. Amazing ambience, like a WW II canteen in the main room. You can pick up and examine said artifacts and see very personal images and objects from this pivotal era. Iceland actually played an unsung, important role in WW II and declared its independence during the war (1944)--a tough and busy time. Pretty much self-guided unless the owner is there. And it did give me a great sense of my father's time there.
Written June 12, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kaleb J
Reykjavik, Iceland1 contribution
Sep 2015 • Solo
I went to check out the war and peace museum and I totally fell in love with it, so many interesting things to see and really warm and cozy atmosphere and also beautiful landscape and view all around , this is a must see for everyone and few minutes away from Reykjavik.
Written September 10, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Egillreykjavik
Reykjavik4 contributions
Aug 2015 • Solo
Few years ago a war museum opened in Hvalfjord, Iceland. Hvalfjord was during WWII the main navy base for the allies in The North Atlantic and the stop over for the convoys which sailed between America, Europe and specially Russia. So the museum is located at a historically important place.
The museum has been fast growing last years and worth seeing for all who are interested in military history and WWII.
I have been a frequent guest there mainly because of my historical researches.
They have a part of the museum dedicated to the famous British battlecruiser HMS Hood which came two times to Hvalfjord shortly before she was sunk about 200 miles west of Iceland in 1941. I have always been interested in HMS Hood´s story and I am a member of HMS Hood Association Committe in England.
I´m hoping that the museum might even put on some special display next year to commemorate the 100th anniversary of HMS Hood and also in May next year when there will be 75 years since she was sunk by the German battleship Bismarck. But the museum is covering a lot more then just naval history. You can also experience how life was in Iceland 1939-1945 and how it was to be an occupied small nation by two super powers, first The British the the Americans.
The museum has been fast growing last years and worth seeing for all who are interested in military history and WWII.
I have been a frequent guest there mainly because of my historical researches.
They have a part of the museum dedicated to the famous British battlecruiser HMS Hood which came two times to Hvalfjord shortly before she was sunk about 200 miles west of Iceland in 1941. I have always been interested in HMS Hood´s story and I am a member of HMS Hood Association Committe in England.
I´m hoping that the museum might even put on some special display next year to commemorate the 100th anniversary of HMS Hood and also in May next year when there will be 75 years since she was sunk by the German battleship Bismarck. But the museum is covering a lot more then just naval history. You can also experience how life was in Iceland 1939-1945 and how it was to be an occupied small nation by two super powers, first The British the the Americans.
Written September 6, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HelgiThorRS
Reykjavik, Iceland30 contributions
Aug 2015 • Solo
This is a museum that is still growing, so I was surprised to see how many and diverse pieces they have already collected: uniforms, weapons, pieces of buildings and equipment, models of the ships, including HMS Hood, which was sunk west of Iceland in 1941.
There's also maps and videos, explaining how this deep fjord became a navy base, with several ports and a village of 5000 people! Oh, and let's not forget the 2½ ton 6×6 U.S. Army cargo truck, a GMC 1945 model! It reminded of the oldest tractors I used to drive as a teenager on the farm - no power steering in those days, no siree!
The War and Peace Museum is located in Hvalfjörður, which gives you an option of making it a roundtrip - first take the tunnel under the fjord, learn of the wartime history at the museum and then take the road through Hvalfjörðu on the way back to see the relics in the fjord - maybe do a little hike up to the Glymur waterfall also?
There's also maps and videos, explaining how this deep fjord became a navy base, with several ports and a village of 5000 people! Oh, and let's not forget the 2½ ton 6×6 U.S. Army cargo truck, a GMC 1945 model! It reminded of the oldest tractors I used to drive as a teenager on the farm - no power steering in those days, no siree!
The War and Peace Museum is located in Hvalfjörður, which gives you an option of making it a roundtrip - first take the tunnel under the fjord, learn of the wartime history at the museum and then take the road through Hvalfjörðu on the way back to see the relics in the fjord - maybe do a little hike up to the Glymur waterfall also?
Written September 2, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Annelies B
Antwerp Province, Belgium203 contributions
Aug 2019
An ever growing collection of materials, prullaria and stories, get you soaked into the atmosphere of WWII in Iceland. A topic that I was not very familiar with, but started to read a book about it after my visit.
Especially the music in the diner, and the elderly people seeking memories, make it such a special place and a throwback in time.
There is not much text, it is mostly a museum where the things put on display speak for themselves.
Especially the music in the diner, and the elderly people seeking memories, make it such a special place and a throwback in time.
There is not much text, it is mostly a museum where the things put on display speak for themselves.
Written August 17, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What are the days and hours the museum is open?
Written June 11, 2018
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