From calfskin to code – VR brings Icelandic history to life

The speed and scale of innovation in the Icelandic travel industry are remarkable. Before the eruption of Eyjafjallajökull in 2010, the industry was just a fraction of what it is now. The stereotype of international visitors to Iceland was that of an eccentric hitchhiking backpacker on a lonely self-discovery journey. Fast-forward to 2025, and the travel industry has become one of the foundations of our economy. As in other sectors, technology is driving new ways for those working in the industry to inspire our guests. And now VR is bringing Icelandic history to life.

The engaging VR experience of 1238: The Battle of Iceland

A great example is the 1238: Battle of Iceland virtual experience in the northwestern town of Sauðárkrókur. This experience allows you to participate in the Battle of Örlygsstaðir, one of the most significant events in the medieval civil war that engulfed the country. The war exhausted Icelanders, and if I remember correctly, it ended essentially because the peasants refused to fight and die for the power-hungry chieftains anymore. Finally, the Icelanders pledged allegiance to the King of Norway, who promised to pacify the country. He managed to do so to a large degree.

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Representing Icelandic history in a plausible way

The general manager of the Battle of Iceland is Freyja Rut Emilsdóttir, who I have interviewed before. I finally met Freyja in person at the ITB travel show in Berlin and tried the Battle of Iceland experience. I was fascinated by it. As a history enthusiast, I have always been fascinated by going back in time and seeing how places looked in the past or seeing a plausible representation of significant historical events. Unfortunately, the past is often misrepresented. An example that comes to mind is the film Braveheart, where medieval Scots are shown going to battle with painted faces and wearing kilts. They would have worn armor if they could afford it, just like their English opponents did. I mean, these people were not stupid! Kilts did not appear in Scotland until the 16th century! But immersing in a plausible representation of an Icelandic battle in the 13th century was excellent fun.

I learned in our conversation at ITB that Freyja and her team developed the virtual experience for the Battle of Iceland themselves. They are working on expanding the Battle of Iceland experience and on several other travel-related Virtual Reality (VR) projects.

Hey, Freyja. Thank you for taking the time to do a second interview for this magazine. Please tell me about your VR team and the projects you are working on

Hi 😊
The VR team consists of multi-talented people with diverse skills, including storytelling from theater and advertisements, history, cultural management, financing, and, of course, programming and computer science. We approach VR creations holistically and emphasize being true to the story and not losing sight of the story in the technology. VR needs to be authentic, immersive, interactive, accessible, and, last but not least, fun. We want to bind together the ideology, the development, the execution, and the business solution of each project. We believe that VR offers a unique opportunity to engage audiences more profoundly. VR can transport visitors to different periods and places, allowing them to experience history as if they were there. This level of immersion fosters a deeper understanding and appreciation for the past.

The 1238 VR experience, which brings Icelandic history to life, is our first project; we have built on its success. We have a few development projects that use both VR and AR (Augmented Reality). There are AR audio guides in a few locations. You will find AR experiences in Glaumbær Heritage Museum, at the historical site of Þrístapar, and around the old town of Sauðárkrókur. We have 1238 VR guest exhibitions in Tönsberg in Norway and in the Castle of Eger in Hungary, where we are collaborating with our partners to create VR experiences based on their stories.

We have gotten support from local and national innovation funds to develop two VR experiences; one is with the backing from the Lóa innovation fund and is about the old town of Blönduós; we are working on exciting ideas there. Another one, with support from SSNV, the local innovation fund, is about Seal watching in VR, managed by the Icelandic Seal Centre in Hvammstangi.

How do you balance historical authenticity with the need to make the experience engaging and exciting for visitors?

The emphasis is on the story. The experience should first and foremost be historical, the technology is just the tool we use, not the wow factor it self. Our guidelines are:

Stay true to the story

Never lose sight of the story in the technology

Authenticity

When recreating landscapes, customers, flora, and fauna – the virtual environment should be as accurate as possible.

Immersion

The experience should be engaging, and visitors should be allowed to feel fully immersed in the virtual world.

Interactivity

Users should be able to interact with the environment and participate instead of only watching.

Accessibility

Make VR accessible to all, including those with disabilities, and accessibility in the sense that people with diverse cultural backgrounds can easily connect with it, cultural accessibility.

Finally, make the experience fun as a game, but find a balance between enjoyment and storytelling.

Video: 1238: The Battle of Iceland

The Battle of Iceland brings Icelandic history to life. Have there been any particularly memorable responses from guests?

Regardless of age and background, most people enjoy the experience, and the reviews we have received have been very positive. The VR experience is, broadly speaking, what we wanted it to be. It is fun, it educates, and it brings up the adrenaline. All kinds of people connect with it. This includes people who arrive saying they are afraid of computer games, mainly older people. Once they try the experience, they have fun. Families enjoy experiencing it together. I firmly believe that museum visits provide a unique setting for social bonding. People like to visit museums and experience culture with friends and family, creating shared memories and experiences. And when people have enjoyable, positive, and impactful experiences, they are eager to share them with others.

The most memorable group I can think of was a group of elderly Icelandic people, everyone over 85 and with an average age of around 90. Everybody participated in the VR experience, and they had so much fun. They joked about remembering these events and were eager to tell their grandkids about having tried VR!

Are there other historical events or locations in Iceland you’d love to bring to life through VR?

Wow, what a great question… If I could travel back in time, when and where would I go?!

I would love to experience the power, solidarity, and impact of Women’s Day in 1975, a few years before I was born.

On the note of bringing Icelandic history to life, I think the dramatic, tragic, and brutal events of the 1830 execution at Þrístapar* would make an engaging VR experience and hopefully remind us about the importance of respecting the lives of others.

And to end it on a personal note, my great-grandmother was born in 1916 and lived in Kirkjubæjarklaustur. She remembered the freezing cold and the complete darkness during the Katla volcanic eruption in 1918. I think it might make a very impactful experience.

But I believe we can also use VR’s power to learn about everyday life, food and cloth making, agriculture, fisheries, storytelling in Icelandic farms in the past, celebrations, and so on.

Where do you see the future of virtual experiences heading?

This is the next step of storytelling. There are museums, heritage sites, cultural institutions, and schools looking to utilize technology to spark interest in history and heritage. VR can engage visitors and create an experience that is immersive and emotionally engaging. It gives a deeper understanding of history and historical events. In the 13th Century, Icelanders were storytellers and chroniclers of Kings throughout Northern Europe, and I believe we can be that again. From Sagas written on calfskin to paper and books to filmmaking and VHS, Virtual Reality is the next step in storytelling.

You live in Sauðárkrókur. Can you tell me about your favorite activities there and must-visit places near the town?

My family and I are big sports enthusiasts; we love to go together to sports events. Sauðárkrókur is a big sports town, and if you want to meet the locals, you go to the game 😊

I find my peace at Black Beach, which has a magnificent view over the islands on the fjord: Drangey, Málmey, and Þórðarhöfði.

The region is known for historical sites, and there are many excellent sites and museums to visit, Glaumbær, Hólar, Kakalaskáli, Víðimýri, and Hofsós, to name a few. This region is a place for people to dwell, soak up the atmosphere, connect with the locals, and get to know Icelanders’ everyday lives.

Horseback riding in the unspoiled nature and then soak in Grettislaug or Reykjalaug under the northern lights or midnight sun, depending on the season of your visit.

What advice do you have for those visiting Iceland for the first time?

Take your time. Spend at least as much time experiencing as driving between places. Take photos for social media, but don’t forget to immerse yourself in the moment.

*Agnes Magnúsdóttir and Friðrik Sigurðsson were beheaded at Þrístapar for the murder of Natan Ketilsson.