Iceland's Ghostly Home
Just off the southern Ring Road a Museum of Poltergeists awaits!
Fear them, sneer them or just drink a beer with them - all is allowed with the ghosts in Stokkseyri, Iceland.
Iceland - the land of fire and ice is also home to ghosts galore.
For centuries, across this wind-swept North Atlantic island, people have told tales of meeting paranormals like the Brennivin Ghost, talking skeletons and wet, sad ethereal beings heralding the drowning of a local mariner.
With such an extensive inventory of encounters, it was a perfect solution to erect a museum highlighting Iceland's still active, though dead, residents.
The Ghost Center or Draugasetrið is located in Stokkseyri, a captivating fishing village with a harbor hugging the ocean. Along the southwestern portion of Highway 1 or the Ring Road it is easily accessible from the capital city of Reykjavik. The drive is under an hour. Guided bus tours will begin in June.
Be forewarned this is not a Disney-like attraction. These ghosts are regular, documented visitors to the region, and have been for centuries. The depictions are so dramatic that children, 12 years old or younger, are not encouraged to enter.
Ambling through a twisting maze, with only a CD player and a strong constitution as protection, you come in contact with a diversity of poltergeists from violent specters mentioned in the ancient Sagas, nude phantoms often seen before their actual earthly death, and Ranadraguinn who appears as a grey mare in Stokkseyri. Room 19 is especially daunting but to tell more would spoil the surprise…or shock.
The search for spirits begins and ends in the Ghost Bar, where overhead the Brennivin Ghost (Brennivínsdraugurinn) watches the activities. No worries as he is usually a kind – albeit - slightly tipsy ghost. Raise a glass to his honor, and you are secure. For the uninitiated Brennivin is an alcoholic Icelandic specialty. Made of fermented potatoes and spices its nickname is “black death”. Appropriate for your surroundings.
Feeling especially brave? The Ghost Center can arrange for overnight accommodations for two. Just remember if you see a woman in red socks and sucking her fingers – it’s not the maid! A Skotta (female ghost) has appeared. Forget the mint on your pillow and hide under the covers quickly!
Groups of ten or more can arrange a private bus outing where many of the encounter sites exist. There is safety in numbers – right?
Downstairs, in the same building, you will find the Icelandic Wonders Museum -dedicated to the mystical Icelandic life. Here trolls, elves and Hidden People are introduced and their importance to the culture explained.
The highlight of an Icelandic Wonders’ visit will surely be the troll cave. Eerily dark and kept at freezing 140 –230F it is decorated with bits of ice from Iceland’s, and Europe’s biggest glacier, Vatnajökull. Adding to the atmosphere is the surreal shimmering blues and greens images of simulated Northern Lights. This might be your best chance to view the Aurora Borealis –even in simulated form. The best viewing months are from November to February but you should remember that Mother Nature rules, and no sightings are ever guaranteed.
Stokkeyri is also the home to the beloved Fjöruborðið restaurant. Its name translates to “at the seashore” and Icelanders flock for the fabulous views of the ocean and fresh lobster dishes.
Just the simplicity of a bowlful of the thick and flavorful lobster bisque accompanied with fresh baked brown bread and a cold Egils’ beer allows you to find the good life along the North Atlantic coastline.
Your ghostly companions just provide a little extra zest.
For more information on getting to Iceland:
ICELANDAIR
THE GHOST CENTER (with links to Icelandic Wonders Museum and GT Bus)
For more on Iceland: cultural-anthropology.suite101.com/article.cfm/icelands_mystical_beings
iceland-travel.suite101.com/article.cfm/iceland_insider
iceland-travel.suite101.com/article.cfm/north_icelands_maritime_marvels
Ghost tour lover?seustravel.suite101.com/blog.cfm/ghost_walks_in_wilmington_nc
