About Petra's Stone Collection

For more than 60 years, Petra devoted her spare time to searching for beautiful and unique stones. A childhood hobby she continued throughout her life, never losing her curiosity or passion. 

Her collection and former home now welcome guests with warmth and wonder from the moment they enter. The house has remained unchanged since Petra lived there, making her home itself a part of the museum. 

With dedication and precision, Petra spent decades creating her collection. It now includes thousands of stones, each with its own story, color, and shape. Sparkling quartz crystals, colorful jaspers, unusual zeolites, and pitch-black obsidian greet visitors, set among the fragrant blooms of the garden. 

To satisfy the curios mind, information panels throughout the collection share geological insights, the collection's history, and stories about Petra herself.

The remarkable history of Petra’s Stone Collection spans over 60 years of passion and an urge to collect. Since a young age, its founder, Petra Sveinsdóttir, showed a deep interest in stones and the wonders of nature. Her limited formal education and lack of scientific training never hindered her from gathering an extraordinary collection of rare stones and natural artifacts. Today, her collection is recognized and admired the world over.

In 1974, Petra’s husband, Jón Ingimundarson (known to their friends as Nenni), passed away at the age of 52. His death marked a turning point in Petra’s life and played a significant role in her decision to open her home and collection to visitors. From that moment on, her home began its transformation into the museum that guests experience today. 

Since then, the development of the collection has been steady and thoughtful. This has included improved facilities, carefully organized exhibitions, and a growing emphasis on education and the preservation of cultural heritage.

Today, Petra’s Stone Collection is an independent family business owned and run by Petra’s descendants. It operates solely on income from entrance fees and remains deeply connected to the history and values of its founder. Despite its growth and international recognition, the museum has never accepted public funding. 

It stands as a powerful testament to what one individual can create through passion and perseverance and plays an important role in the cultural life of East Iceland.

The exhibits in Petra’s Stone Collection are truly unique. The collection includes thousands of stones. Most are from East Iceland, but you will find specimens from all parts of the island here. Stone collectors from abroad have also donated pieces from their private collections. The diversity of the stones is astonishing. One never ceases to marvel at how many different colors can appear within a single jasper, or how varied different types of zeolites can be. Captivated by nature's beauty, Petra took every opportunity to share it with others.

Located in the garden, an educational exhibition presents different types of stones alongside informative panels explaining how they were formed and how varied their appearances can be. QR codes on the panels provide translations into multiple languages. Inside the house, the stones are labeled with their mineral names and composition.

Among the many stones on display are quartz crystals, agates, calcite in its diverse forms, jaspers in countless colors, and opals with their soft hues and patterns. Visitors will also encounter obsidian in both large and small forms, Iceland spar, numerous varieties of zeolites, and petrified wood from across Iceland. The vast majority come from East Iceland, many of them collected in and around Stöðvarfjörður itself. The geological diversity of this area is remarkable.

Beginning as early as 1946 when Petra and Nenni moved into Sunnuhlíð, the collection has developed over a long period of time. After Petra became a widow in 1974 and her children had moved out, the stones began to take over the house. Petra happily gave them the space they needed.

Petra’s family has also played an important role in the landscaping and preservation of the museum, honoring her vision of nature as an endless source of beauty, wonder, and knowledge. In the garden, all your senses are engaged. You can listen to flowing streams and birdsong, enjoy the delicate fragrance of flowers, and feel the gentle touch of sun and wind on your skin. The eyes feast on the beauty of the stones, the colors of the flowers, and the thoughtful composition of the garden. The mind, in turn, fills with awe.

At Petra’s Stone Collection, the beauty of nature and Iceland’s geological diversity meet in a warm and personal setting. Located in the heart of Stöðvarfjörður, the rich and multi-layered exhibition sparks curiosity among visitors of all ages.

Geology or natural science, gardening and forestry, general aesthetics, or the human story behind the collection - everyone can find something that sparks their interest. The museum tells the story of an ordinary Icelandic woman: a wife and mother who worked in fish processing for most of her life, yet chose an uncommon and deeply personal path. The remarkable achievement that is Petra’s Stone Collection encourages guests to follow their own passions.

Housed in Petra’s former home, unchanged since she lived there, the collection creates an intimate atmosphere that makes the visit both personal and memorable. Every stone has its own story and forms part of a larger narrative of nature, collecting, and Petra’s enduring legacy. Guests often describe their experience as surprising and moving, and it is not uncommon for emotions to run high.

The small gift shop offers handmade souvenirs crafted from Icelandic stones by Petra’s family, as well as a variety of natural and polished stones. Enjoy local coffee and pastries in the café, Kaffi Sunnó. Enjoy delicious food in the charming glasshouse or outdoors in the garden. 

Petra’s Stone Collection plays an important role in the cultural life of East Iceland. We have a strong bond with the local community, the academic and educational world, and guests from around the globe. The collection is more than a place where stones are preserved. It's a space for learning, community, and cultural exchange.

Over the years, the museum has actively collaborated with schools and educational institutions, offering students the opportunity to explore geology in a lively and accessible way. It has also taken part in a variety of cultural projects and local events where art, nature, and history come together. 

Through these efforts, the museum has strengthened its connection with both the local community and visitors, creating a space for dialogue, learning, and shared experience.

Continuing to expand its network of academics, artists, and nature enthusiasts, the collection remains open to collaborations that support its values of education and preservation. Petra’s legacy lives on through this communal role, serving as a cultural bridge between generations and countries.

Petra’s Stone Collection offers: 

Introductions to the museum or guided tours for groups can be booked in advance by e-mail or telephone.