Petra’s Stone Collection

Petra’s Mineral Collection (Steinasafn Petru) in Stöðvarfjörður is one of Iceland’s most unusual and charming attractions. For more than sixty years, the late Ljósbjört Sveinsdóttir — known simply as Petra — collected minerals, zeolites, and semi-precious stones from the mountains above the fjord, eventually filling her home and garden with tens of thousands of specimens of extraordinary colour and variety.

Today the collection is maintained as a living museum open to visitors. Walking through the garden, which glitters with agates, calcite crystals, and jasper, feels like stepping into a folk-art installation. The collection is a testament to the patience and passion of one remarkable woman and has become a beloved stop on the East Fjords Ring Road circuit.

Stöðvarfjörður lies on Route 1 in the East Fjords. The museum is open from May to October (check ahead for exact dates and hours). The village has a small café and is a pleasant place to stop for lunch.