5.4.1 Iceland: Reykjavík
Description
This article is from the Nordic countries FAQ, by Antti Lahelma and Johan Olofsson, with numerous contributions by others.
5.4.1 Iceland: Reykjavík
Reykjavík is the most northerly capital in the world and the largest city of
Iceland, situated on Faxa Bay on the southwest coast. It is here that
Iceland's first settler, Ingólfr Arnarson, landed in 874. According to the
sagas, when he approached the shore, he threw two carved, wooden pillars to
the water and swore that he would settle where they came ashore. The
settlement began as a small fishing village, a charter was granted in 1786,
and the city became an episcopal see in 1796. Reykjavík has been the seat of
the Althing since 1843, and it was made the capital of Iceland in 1918.
Ingólfr named the place Reykjavík (Smoky Bay), perhaps because of the
geysers and hot steam pouring from the ground. However, Reykjavík is in fact
probably one of world's most smoke-free cities, because of the extensive use
of clean, geothermal power.
More than half of Iceland's population lives in or near Reykjavík, making it
the heart of the country's cultural, commercial, and governmental life. It's
a modern city, but the old centre, including the Parliament House (1881) and
the mid-18th century Government Building, has been carefully preserved.
Close to them are the National Library and the National Theatre, and the
statue of Ingólfr Arnarson. Interesting churches in Reykjavík include the
the old cathedral near the Parliament, and the the new, 75m high
Hallgríms-kirkja; there's a great view over the city from the spire. Other
places worth visiting are the University (1911), the National Museum (1863)
which houses exhibits from around the world and items from the Viking age
and Iceland's nautical past, and the Árni Magnússon Institute (where the
priceless saga manuscripts are on display.
The newest sight of the city is the City Hall (opened in 1992), which is
built partly on a lake; apart from being an administrative centre, it also
houses exhibitions and a cafe with views to the lake. Árbær Folk Museum is
in the outskirts of the city, and has a collection of old, traditional
buildings, mostly from Reykjavík, but also from elsewhere in Iceland. The
Nordic House designed by the Finnish architect Alvar Aalto has a library,
cafe, a permanent exhibition devoted to the Nordic way of life, and stages
concerts, etc.
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