Explore 20 Iceland Collections - Atlas Obscura
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Around the world, people ward off evil Christmas creatures, from witches to kid-eating cats.
monsters

Christmas Monsters: Our Favorite Reads

These creatures of lore are definitely on the naughty list.
Roxanne Hoorn December 20, 2024
The Yule Cat (or Jólakötturinn) serves as a warning for children to not misbehave, much like the threat of coal for naughty children on Christmas.
vikings

Beware the Yule Cat, Iceland’s Child-Eating Christmas Monster

But if you’re wearing new clothes, you have nothing to fear from Jólakötturinn.
Suzie Dundas December 22, 2023
In this 1873 watercolor, artist Frank Dicksee shows Viking raiders heading for land.
pirates

The Muddled Origins of the Word ‘Viking’

The now common term wasn't used to describe medieval Scandinavians until the 19th century.
Martyn Whittock November 16, 2023
The Westman Islands are a puffin paradise.
animals

Podcast: Puffin Patrol

Join us for a daily celebration of the world’s most wondrous, unexpected, even strange places.
The Podcast Team May 10, 2021
The gang's all here.
maps

For Sale: A 16th-Century Map of Iceland, Roamed by Fantastic Beasts

Meet the menagerie.
Jessica Leigh Hester December 10, 2018
A cultural gem in the otherwise empty town of Ríf in West Iceland.
Rif, Iceland

The Freezer

A world-class theater sits hidden in this remote town in West Iceland.
Gastro Obscura

Harðfiskur

The pungent, wind-dried white fish is a traditional Icelandic food.
news

This Meteorologist Keeps Standing in Front of East Iceland and People Are Upset

Weather is important.
Erik Shilling December 21, 2016
All caskets and urns must be buried in official churchyards unless the family is granted permission to do otherwise.
iceland

Heading to Iceland? Just Make Sure You Don't Die There

Due to local post-mortem practices, it'd be a bit of an inconvenience.
Mariana Zapata December 16, 2016
nature

Reykjavik Turned Off Its Street Lights to Watch the Northern Lights

It's nice this time of year.
Erik Shilling September 29, 2016
music

Watch an Impromptu Medieval Icelandic Hymn Sung in a Modern Train Station

The acoustics of the German transit hub perfectly suit the centuries-old song.
Molly McBride Jacobson September 28, 2016
geology

Angry Elves Force Iceland Road Workers To Dig Up A Sacred Rock

Do not mess with Iceland's elves.
Eric Grundhauser August 31, 2016
volcanoes

One of Iceland's Biggest Volcanoes Might Be Close to Erupting

The country is home to dozens.
Erik Shilling August 30, 2016
volcanoes

A Volcano in Iceland May be Close to Erupting

Hekla could blow at any minute.
Erik Shilling June 20, 2016
politics

The Incredible, Rapid Rise of Iceland's Pirate Party

The party can thank the Panama Papers leak for recent triumphs.
Erik Shilling April 7, 2016
iceland

A Banana Grows in Iceland

Only 177 miles from the Arctic Circle lies Northern Europe's largest banana plantation.
Kasper Friis March 8, 2016
at iceland's christmas house
holidays

Iceland's Yule Lads Are Like 13 Demented Santas and They Are Amazing

Before they were mischievous but friendly characters who came to lick your spoons, they were terrors.
Jaya Saxena December 9, 2015
Húsafell, Iceland

Into The Glacier

Travel deep inside of Europe's second largest glacier in the world's largest man-made ice cave.