Petra’s Stone Collection
Petra’s Stone Collection in
Stöðvarfjörður
is one of Iceland’s most distinctive and beloved museums.
The collection is dedicated to stones and crystals
found in Icelandic nature and represents the life’s work
of Petra Sveinsdóttir, who devoted decades
to collecting and preserving minerals from East Iceland.
Petra began collecting stones at an early age,
and over time her personal interest grew into
one of the country’s largest and most diverse
mineral collections.
Today the museum displays thousands of stones,
crystals and rock types, varying widely in size,
colour and structure.
The exhibition is arranged throughout Petra’s former home
and the surrounding garden,
where stones are displayed both indoors and outdoors.
Visitors move through rooms, corridors and open-air areas,
creating an intimate and personal museum experience
unlike that of traditional exhibitions.
The collection reflects the remarkable geological diversity
of East Iceland,
where volcanic activity, glacial erosion
and immense geological time have shaped the landscape.
Many of the stones originate from nearby mountains,
valleys and fjords, allowing visitors to explore
the region’s geology through colour, texture and form.
Over the years, Petra’s Stone Collection has become
one of the most popular attractions in East Iceland.
Thousands of visitors arrive each summer,
many returning repeatedly to experience the calm atmosphere
and unique beauty of the museum.
More than a geological exhibition,
the museum is a deeply human story.
It stands as a tribute to curiosity, dedication
and a lifelong bond between people and the land.
Petra’s Stone Collection remains a living legacy
of one woman’s passion for Icelandic nature.