Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Iceland Reykjavik Eyrarland Statue
AO Edited

Eyrarland Statue

Does this statue depict Thor, or Jesus Christ? Nobody knows.

Reykjavik, Iceland

jyackabonis profile photo
Added By
jyackabonis
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
  jyackabonis / Atlas Obscura User
  jyackabonis / Atlas Obscura User
  jyackabonis / Atlas Obscura User
  jyackabonis / Atlas Obscura User
  jyackabonis / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

This small bronze seated statue from around  the year 1000 is still surrounded by debate. The statue was recovered at Eyrarland farm in Iceland in 1815. 

It was sent to Copenhagen in 1817, but returned in 1930 to Iceland from the Danish National Museum. It now sits on the second floor of the National Museum of Iceland, and greets visitors as they arrive.

Many think this is depicting the Norse god, Thor, sitting and holding  his hammer, Mjölnir. Others believe it is Jesus Christ, sitting and holding a typical Icelandic cross. 

While we may never know who this statue is, it is emblematic of Iceland’s past, on display for all to see.

Places

Discover your next amazing Atlas Place.

Get more unusual and extraordinary places each week with the Atlas Obscura Places newsletter.

Your newsletter subscriptions with us are subject to Atlas Obscura's Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

Know Before You Go

You will need to check the museums hours.

Community Contributors

jyackabonis profile photo

Added By

jyackabonis

Published

July 24, 2025

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos

Related Tags

Statues
Eyrarland Statue
41 Suðurgata
Reykjavik, 102
Iceland
64.141615, -21.948578
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Hólavallagarður Cemetery

Reykjavik, Iceland

miles away

Hljómskálinn Pavillon

Reykjavík, Iceland

miles away

Monument to the Unknown Bureaucrat

Reykjavik, Iceland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Reykjavik

Reykjavik

Iceland

Places 26

Nearby Places

Hólavallagarður Cemetery

Reykjavik, Iceland

miles away

Hljómskálinn Pavillon

Reykjavík, Iceland

miles away

Monument to the Unknown Bureaucrat

Reykjavik, Iceland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Reykjavik

Reykjavik

Iceland

Places 26

Related Places

  • Tin Lizzy Ice Cream Man

    Montpelier, Indiana

    Tin Lizzy Ice Cream Man

    An ice cream man statue that featured in the opening credits of the “Parks and Recreation” TV show.

  • Mastodon Ridge

    Stewiacke, Nova Scotia

    Marvin the Mastodon

    A life-sized mastodon statue commemorates the remarkable discovery of 80,000-year-old mastodon remains in a nearby Nova Scotia gypsum quarry.

  • Statue of Lord Laddu Gopal

    Agra, India

    Statue of Lord Laddu Gopal

    Built as part of the 'Waste to Wonder' campaign, the 26-foot statue is made of more than two tonnes of iron and steel.

  • Statue of Maria Pita

    A Coruña, Spain

    Plaza Maria Pita

    Seeing her husband shot, she took up his banner and rallied the troops to attack repulsing the enemy with the cry, "Those with honor, follow me!"

  • Giant Perstorp Vinegar Bottle

    Perstorp, Sweden

    Giant Perstorp Vinegar Bottle

    An oversized concrete replica of a classic Swedish vinegar bottle marks the town where the brand began.

  • "Cross-legged"

    Pristina, Kosovo

    ‘Cross-legged’

    The sculpture of a man sitting in the middle of the square holds great significance for the young nation of Kosovo.

  • Statue of Žorik

    Tallinn, Estonia

    Statue of Žorik

    A bronze memorial to Tallinn’s most famous, and most elusive, stray dog, erected while he was still alive.

  • Jason Miller Statue

    Scranton, Pennsylvania

    Jason Miller Statue

    The Pulitzer Prize winning writer and actor from “The Exorcist,” Jason Miller, is immortalized with a statue that contains his ashes.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2026 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.