Saga Brief 27b - Icelandic Impressions of the Sagas (Interview with Sigrún Guttormsdóttir Þormar at Snorrastofa)

In this special Saga Brief, we visit historic Reykholt, once home to Snorri Sturluson, for a fascinating conversation with Sigrún Guttormsdóttir Þormar, department manager at Snorrastofa. This interview is the second installment in our four-part series recorded on-site during our recent trip to Iceland.

Sigrún generously met with us on a Saturday to talk about Snorri’s life, legacy, and the important work being done at Snorrastofa to continue the long tradition of learning at Reykholt on the site. Along the way, she shared insights into Snorri's role as a chieftain, writer, and political figure in 13th-century Iceland, offering a more nuanced portrait of the man we often call “infamous.”

If you're planning a trip to Iceland, we can’t recommend a stop in Reykholt highly enough. In addition to its rich history, the Snorrastofa cultural and medieval studies center offers an engaging exhibition on Snorri’s life, an inviting research library, and an exceptional gift shop.

For more about Snorrastofa, including visitor info, exhibitions, and ongoing research, visit: https://snorrastofa.is

Enjoy the episode and let us know what you think about Snorri’s legacy after hearing from someone who engages with it every day.

Music Credits:

Opening song – “Rúnatal” by An Danzza

Introduction – from Icelandic Folk Music: Tröllaslagur

Outro – Ólafur Liljurós