Stodvarfjordur (Stöðvarfjörður) and Petra's Mineral Collection
Stodvarfjordur (Stöðvarfjörður) and Petra's Mineral Collection
On the northern side of Stodvarfjordur lies the village of the same name set to a backdrop of spectacular mountains. Each distinct lava flow is visible as a step in the glacially eroded mountain profiles typical of the East Fjords region
This small fishing village is best known for its remarkable mineral museum, set up by Petra Sveinsdóttir.
Petra dedicated much of her life to collecting interesting and colorful stones in her local area. Over the years the beautiful pieces of Jasper, obsidian, zeolites, quartz, chalcedony, and calcite-filled first her house and then took over her garden as well.
Zeolites are a specialty of East Iceland, forming clusters of elongated, spindly crystals that resemble magnified snowflakes. Like other secondary pore minerals, zeolites are formed when rainwater seeps through porous bedrock to a depth where it hits hot layers of rock. Absorbing minerals from the surrounding rock, the hot water rises and then cools in crevices and cavities, depositing its minerals in the process. Subsequent glacial and river erosion brings the minerals to the surface.
In the early years, Petra welcomed visitors into her home to view her collection, offering coffee and cakes, and made no charge for the visits. But as the collection grew, so too did the visitor numbers and today many thousands of people pass through each year.
Petra died in 2012 and her family has taken over the running of the museum. Today, a small charge is made to visit the collection of thousands of pieces of all shapes, sizes, and colors together with Petra's home and beautiful flower-filled garden.
For local handicrafts, a former fish processing plant has been turned into a gallery showcasing pieces by a local silversmith and artist.
http://www.steinapetra.is/
Fjardarbraut 21, Stodvarfjordur
(+354) 475 8834