As museums go, the Phallological Museum in Reykjavik is a curious one. It is the only place in the world where visitors can admire an extensive collection of phalluses. If you have an interest in phalluses – and who doesn’t? – start making arrangements to visit the penis museum in Iceland immediately!
The Scientific Study of Penises
Phallology is a legitimate area of scientific research. Phallologists are experts in penises and the founder of the penis museum in Iceland is a self-taught phallologist. Sigurður Hjartarson was once a schoolteacher, but as a child, he was given a bull’s penis (pizzle). These were commonly used as whips to move animals. Later, he was gifted whale penises, and by 1980, Hjartarson had a collection of 13 mammalian penises. We are not going to speculate whether he was a popular child at school.
The Phallological Museum opened in 1997, with a collection of 62 mammalian penises. To start with, visitors were few and far between, but news spread about the bizarre and scientifically interesting museum of penises in Iceland. Articles were written about the museum’s exhibits and its founder. There have now been more than 100k articles published all around the world and by 2011, more than 12,000 people had visited the museum.
The founder of the Penis Museum in Iceland, Hjartarson, has since retired to continue writing and translating books, and the museum is now curated by Hjartarson’s son, a second-generation phallologist and master chef. Is there a crossover between the two pursuits? We sincerely hope not.
What Can You Expect to See at the Penis Museum in Iceland?
Penises are what you’ll see. Nothing ambiguous about that, folks. If the notion of seeing a lot of phalluses up close and personal makes you feel a tad queasy, perhaps schedule a visit to the nearby National Gallery of Iceland instead.
The collection of penises and penile parts in the museum has grown over the years as more exhibits have been added. There are now more than 215 penile exhibits to admire, some larger and more impressive than others. If you ever wondered what a polar bear penis looks like, or a penis from a walrus, it’s your lucky day.
Where Can I Find This Amazing Museum?
The Phallological Museum is located in central Reykjavik, on Hafnartog, 101. The museum is open from 10 am – 7 pm every day.
Entry is a modest 2200 Krona, with disabled visitors and seniors entitled to a discount. Kids 13 and under can get in for free, so start planning your family trip and create some unforgettable memories.
When is the Best Time to Visit Iceland?
Most people elect to travel to Iceland during the summer, as the weather is warmer, and it never gets dark. If you fancy hiking while you are in Iceland, book a trip between June and August, but be prepared for inclement weather.
Another popular time to visit is February to March and September to October – these are the best months to see the magical Northern Lights.
It is also worth noting that flight and accommodation costs are cheaper in the first few months of the year.