The Icelandic Phallological Museum, Reykjavík, Iceland
Penis casts on display, the Icelandic Phallological Museum
Penises of All Shapes and Sizes
From props and artwork, to animal penises big and small, casts belonging to real rock stars, and specimens from actual Icelandic trolls. If you’re into all things phallic, then the Icelandic Phallological Museum is the place for you! With well over 300 specimens from 120 different species, it holds the world's largest collection of its kind. And its displays are ever-expanding thanks to donors from around the world, eager for their members to proudly adorn the display cases of this unique museum.
Though donors are unlikely to top the 14.2-inch penis cast on display, belonging to Matt Barr, a Cambridge graduate hailing from Manchester, England. As owner of the world’s largest penis, one would think he had a great life, but he publicly lamented on the troubles his excessive manhood caused him over the years, including lightheadedness when having an erection, to difficulties finding trousers that fit the groin area, not to mention the unusual propositions he frequently received from strangers!
Besides human specimens, the museum has a vast collection of animal phalluses on show. And there truly is a weird and wonderful variety of penises among the animal kingdom to explore. The whale has the largest, with its penis reaching up to 10 feet long, while dolphins have especially flexible penises that can grasp objects much like a human hand. Hermaphroditic flatworms, on the other hand, use their penises to fight for the chance to mate, with the winner deciding who will inseminate whom. And lastly, the Gorilla, which sports the smallest penis compared to its body size in the mammalian family, with an average of 1.1 inches in length. Who needs a big one when you look like a gorilla? But why is there such a variety of phalluses in the animal kingdom? The main reason is competition. Many animals have evolved these special features to give their sperm a better chance, helping to ensure their DNA is passed on to the next generation.
A Troll penis, the Icelandic Phallological Museum
Mythical Creatures of Iceland
Have you ever wondered where Tolkien got his inspiration from? Many of the creatures of Middle-earth hail from none other than Iceland. And the proof is proudly on display at the Phallological Museum, where you can admire the phallics of trolls, elves, and many more of Iceland’s mythical beings. Are these creatures real? It appears that the Icelanders are not tempting fate. When a road was to be built in 2013 and a large rock believed to be an elf church stood in its way, construction was halted and rerouted out of fear of an elven rebuttal!
Elves are believed to live amongst the humans with whom they share their island, though not all humans can see them. There are at least 13 types of elves in Iceland, all of which can be studied at the Icelandic Elfschool located in Reykjavik, where one can learn about their ways, hear about encounters, and tour areas populated by elves.
Trolls are also said to lurk in the less-populated areas of the country. What they lack in the brains department, they make up for in braun and are said to roam the countryside at night, luring humans into their caves to eat them for dinner. Fortunately, they turn to stone if caught in sunlight, so visitors are probably safe during the summer months!
The Hidden People are another group that, according to Icelandic folklore, were the offspring of Adam and Eve. The story goes that Eve was bathing her children in turn when God paid a surprise visit. Not wanting God to see the dirty ones, Eve attempted to hide them, but God, being God, he managed anyways. God then declared, “What man hides from God, God will hide from man.” Thus creating the Hidden People forevermore, whose descendants to this day live in the shadows among the Icelanders.
And lastly, the 13 Christmas Lads and their Yule cat are said to live in lava pillars in the north of the country with their ogre parents. The Christmas season is marked by their appearance and mischievous activities, delivering rotten potatoes to naughty children. While their pet, the Yule cat, likes to roam the countryside looking for children who did not receive any clothes for Christmas, and eat them, making every child reluctantly ask for a sweater each Christmas!
Penis prop, the Icelandic Phallological Museum
Top Tips
The Icelandic Phallological Museum is located in the heart of Reykjavík and is the most visited museum in Iceland, and not just by teenage boys! When you find yourself bored with volcanoes, hot springs, and whale watching, the Penis Museum will be waiting.
This delightful museum is both funny and entertaining, and suitable for the whole family. It takes about 30-40 minutes to walk through and see the displays, and there is a small gift shop, toilets, as well as the Phallus Cafe at the end, where you can purchase penis shaped waffles and penis themed cocktails if you so desire.
Open every day, 10am to 7pm.
Admission: Adults: 3500 ISK (21 GBP), Seniors and Disabled: 2800 ISK (17 GBP), Children 12 and under: Free
Tickets can be bought in advance on their website at https://www.phallus.is/
Address: Hafnartorg Reykjastræti 4, 101 Reykjavík