Ljósbjörg Petra María Sveinsdóttir

Ljósbjörg Petra María Sveinsdóttir (24 December 1922 – 10 January 2012) was an Icelandic naturalist and collector, known for her extensive collection of stones and minerals.

In 1927, the family moved to the fishing village of Kirkjuból (now Stöðvarfjörður), which had a population of around 80 people at the time. Petra was educated at home by her parents and a travelling instructor until a local school opened in 1933. She was considered a gifted student and showed a strong interest in physical education, storytelling, and literature. After her husband's death, she opened her home and garden to visitors. Her garden and house display thousands of stones and have welcomed guests from all over the world.

Over the decades, the museum has attracted hundreds of thousands of visitors, becoming one of East Iceland's most visited tourist attractions. Today, Petra's Stone Collection continues to operate as a public museum, preserving her legacy.

Legacy and Recognition Petra was widely respected by visitors and locals. Her detailed knowledge of local geology and her correspondence with geologists, botanists, and marine biologists have contributed to a greater understanding of East Iceland's natural history.

Despite her achievements, Petra was known for her modesty. When invited to a special dinner by then-President Vigdís Finnbogadóttir in 1995, she initially declined, remarking, "I got this decoration for my stones and not for myself. It was the stones that were decorated!". She eventually attended at the insistence of her family, and was awarded the Order of the Falcon, the highest civil award in Iceland.

Petra died on 10 January 2012. Her home and collection remain open to the public as a museum, maintained as a tribute to her passion for collection and her contribution to Icelandic cultural and natural heritage.