Medieval Manuscripts

Things to See and Do in Reykjavik

Reykjavik, the capital city of the unique visitor destination of Iceland, is spectacularly set along the volcanic far-northern island’s southwestern coastline on a beautiful bay warmed by the Gulf Stream. An increasingly popular tourism destination year-round despite its winter sub-zero temperatures, the city has managed to develop its tourism potential without affecting its charming, friendly ambience. Whether on a short or longer break, the sheer variety of things to see and do and the amazing natural scenic beauty of its rural surroundings ensure visitors return time and time again.

Known for its geothermal geysers and active volcanoes as well as for its long Viking history and heritage, the modern city is a fascinating mix of ancient and modern, with its museums, art galleries and fine buildings displaying the best of both worlds. Reykjavik’s fascinating museums cover its long maritime history; display one of the world’s finest collections of medieval manuscripts including early version of the Icelandic Sagas; recreate an original early village with period artefacts and display cultural treasures from across its 1,000-year history.

A must-visit, (even if museums don’t normally appeal) for the background to this unique destination is the Culture House, crammed with national treasures, ancient Viking horns, weapons and other artefacts, and one of the most comprehensive collections of handwritten medieval manuscripts any where in the world – all written in Old Norse and magnificently illustrated. The Maritime Museum displays the Viking longships which travelled as far as the Black Sea and the North African coast as well as the delicate-seeming old fishing boats used by locals to brave the freezing winter seas for the day’s catch.

The picturesque Old Town lies along the old harbour, now a destination for cruise ships as well as a safe refuge for more modern fishermen’s boats during the winter storms. The maritime and fishing tradition is still strong here, with vast fleets of modern-day trawlers heading across the Atlantic Ocean from the new port until the decline in fishing stocks slowed their numbers. In the 9th century, the famous mariner Leif Eriksson left from the bay on his journey to discover America. His commemorative statue stands high on a hill in front of the breathtaking modern Hallgrimskirkja church, itself a must-see for lovers of innovative modern architecture.

The treasures waiting to be uncovered on a visit to Reykjavik aren’t all cultural and historical, as the city is set in the magnificent Icelandic coastal landscape with its coves, bays, offshore islands and backdrop of volcanic mountains, glaciers and snowfields. Nature may very well be in the raw here, but its uniquely fascinating features make exploring an essential part of a trip. Travelling by hire car is best, especially if trips to the wilderness inland are part of the holiday agenda. Whale and dolphin-watching boat trips are an all-time favourite, and sightseeing flights over the territory, although expensive, are well worth it for the glorious views.

The vibrant nightlife in the city is well-known, with pubs, clubs and music bars all contributing to the experience. During the summer, the midnight sun shines its weird light over the all- night festivities and in winter, every hotels in Reykjavik is full with nature-lovers gazing at the pulsating green waves of the Northern Lights, an unbeatable, never to be forgotten, once-in- a-lifetime experience. For more on the rich volcanic history of Iceland, a visit to the Red Rock Cinema’s Volcano Show is interesting for the entire family. Continuing the family theme, Husdyragarourinn Zoo is home to friendly farmyard animals, adapted over the centuries to survive in the harsh conditions.

About the Author

Lek Boonlert is an editor and content reviewer at DirectRooms and is responsible for all Reykjavik Hotels content.

Medieval manuscripts of Corpus Christi College Cambridge

Magic In Medieval Manuscripts $24.29 Description not available.

Medieval Manuscripts, Their Makers and Users (Hardcover) $126.83 Description not available.

Medieval Cats (Hardcover) $9.8 From ancient Egypt to the modern day, cats have been one of the most beloved pets. In fact, images of cats appear extensively in medieval manuscripts, where they are depicted as pets and mousers, appear in bestiaries and marginalia, and are …

Otherworld (Paperback) $10.9 Wally Gobbet discovers a medieval manuscript that unlocks a secret world on the Isle of Mist inhabited by wizards, witches, and dragons, as he and his friends help the Order fight an evil sorcerer and the Queen Malaficia, who threaten to destroy the Ot…

Masterpieces of Illuminated Letters And Borders $11.43 More than 350 decorative designs in this impressive collection, including 256 letters, display the glories of extant medieval manuscripts. Rare letters and borders that once enhanced medieval bibles and other rare manuscripts are ornamented with e…

Medieval Scribe Writing at a Desk, Surrounded by Open Manuscripts $44.99 Medieval Scribe Writing at a Desk, Surrounded by Open Manuscripts – Giclee Print

Benedictine Monks Poring over Medieval Manuscripts $39.99 Benedictine Monks Poring over Medieval Manuscripts – Giclee Print

Medieval Manuscripts in Post-Medieval England $248.58 This book is in Good Used condition

Ships and Shipping in Medieval Manuscripts $52.55 No Synopsis Available

Flowers In Medieval Manuscripts $14.96 This book is in New – Excellent condition

Magic In Medieval Manuscripts $14.96 This book is in New – Excellent condition

Medieval Medicine in Illuminated Manuscripts $112.75 This book is in Used condition

Decorative Gothic-Style Title Page, Echoing the Style of Medieval Illuminated Manuscripts $39.99 Decorative Gothic-Style Title Page, Echoing the Style of Medieval Illuminated Manuscripts – Giclee Print

Bibliographic Access to Medieval and Renaissance Manuscripts $185.24 This book is in Good Used condition

Prestige, Authority and Power in Late Medieval Manuscripts and Texts $226.58 This book is in Used condition

Tradition and Innovation in Later Medieval English Manuscripts $75 This book is in New – Excellent condition

The Scribes For Women’s Convents in Late Medieval Germany $56.79 While there has been a great tradition of scholarship in medieval manuscripts, most studies have focused on the details of manuscript production by male copyists. In this study, Cynthia J. Cyrus demonstrates the prevalence of manuscript production by women monastics and challenges current assumptions of how manuscripts circulated in the late medieval period. Drawing on extensive research into the surviving manuscripts of over 450 women’s convents, the author assesses the genres common to women’s convent libraries emphasizing a social rather than a codicological understanding of how manuscripts of women’s libraries came to be copied. An engaging mix of biography, women’s history, and book history, The Scribes for Women’s Convents in Late Medieval Germany will change the way medieval manuscripts are understood and studied.

Fair and Varied Forms: Visual Textuality in Medieval Illustrated Manuscripts $37.44 No Synopsis Available

Tributes To Kathleen L. Scott: English Medieval Manuscripts: Readers. Makers and Illuminators $172.95 No Synopsis Available

Preaching in Medieval England: An Introduction to Sermon Manuscripts of the Period C.1350-1450 $30.56 No Synopsis Available

Art and Architecture in Medieval France: Medieval Architecture, Sculpture, Stained Glass, Manuscripts, the Art of the Church Treasuries, by Stoddard $30 This book is in Good Used condition

Persian Manuscripts $39.99 Persian Manuscripts – Giclee Print

Medieval Lord $21.99 Medieval Lord

Medieval Queen $24.99 Medieval Queen

Medieval Princess $34.99 Medieval Princess

Medieval Skull $10 Medieval Skull

Medieval Europe $2.39 Medieval Europe

Encountering the Manuscripts $21.09 “[Encountering the Manuscripts] focuses on the most significant New Testament manuscripts from the perspective of paleography and textual criticism. Paleography pertains to the dating of the manuscripts, as well as to the calligraphic features of the manuscripts themselves. Each manuscript has a story to tell; each manuscript gives us a window into the transmission of the New Testament text in the earliest centuries. Textual criticism pertains to the critical evaluation of the trustworthiness of the text of each manuscript with respect to recovering the original wording of the Greek New Testament. This volume merges the two areas of study by looking at both paleography and textual criticism as we encounter the New Testament manuscripts."