Facts About Iceland

Reykjavik - Developement of a city

When did Reykjavik start to look as a village or as a small city?

As I wrote in my post about the history of Reykjavik we really do not know very much about its history  after the year 1000 and during the next seven or so centuries.

The 16th, 17th and 18th centuries were mostly centuries of humiliation, poverty and even starvation in the country. 

Skuli Magnusson - the father of Reykjavik

During the second half of the 18th century however, Reykjavik began to look like a village. One thing contributed greatly: The creation of several factories in the middle of the century by the local treasurer or sheriff, Skuli Magnusson, who is often called "the father of Reykjavik".  His aim was to make Icelanders more independent and to teach them new professions. This called for more people and they came to Reykjavik from the countryside.

This is regarded as the beginning of Reykjavík as a village and we know for sure that in 1786 there were 302 souls living in Reykjavík, the total population in Iceland then being around 38.000.

Reykjavik - History

The history of Reykjavik is rather remarkable, not the least if you compare it with the history of other capitals of Western Europe.

Reykjavik City Today

Let's start with a few words about Reykjavik City today, take a short tour to the past and finish with some thoughts about the future.

Reykjavik Iceland is the only city in Iceland and the northernmost capital of the world. I'd guess that a city of about 190.000 inhabitants (greater Reykjavik) is not a large city by your standards but it certainly spreads over quite a large area on the Reykjavik peninsula.

Reykjavik is a city with most of the things you would expect a capital of millions to offer - universities, symphony orchestra, theaters, all kinds of cultural activities, night-life, cozy cafeés, world-class restaurants and an incredibly life ly music scene. You've also got some things not available in most other capitals such as delightful public outdoor swimming pools with hot tubs ("hot pots") and a very good salmon river inside the Reykjavik city limits.

Reykjavik Attractions: The Pearl - Reykjavik

The Pearl (Icelandic: Perlan) is for many one of the most impressive sights in Reykjavík and one of the major attractions, inaugurated in 1991. It is an impressive building on the little hill of Oskjuhlid (Icelandic: Öskjuhlíð).

The Pearl rests on six water tanks storing hot water from boreholes within Reykjavík and others boreholes nearby. Four of the tanks are used to store 24.000 tons of 80° C (190°F)  hot water and two tanks collect the back flow water from the houses.

The structure is about 30 m high and with a space of about 20.000 cubic meters. It has six floors with 3.700 m2 and was constructed of hollow stainless steel profiles through which hot water is pipelined for heating in winter and cold water for cooling in summer. 

Reykjavik Attractions: Reykjavik Zoo

Reykjavík Park and Zoo - (Fjölskyldu- og húsdýragarðurinn)

Fjölskyldu- og húsdýragarðurinn –  Reykjavík Park and Zoo is an ideal place for a family outing. It includes both domestic and wild animals. There you’ll find farmyard animals such as horses, cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, hens, dogs and cats. Wild animals include seals, foxes and reindeer.

Reykjavik Attractions: Hallgrimskirkja Church

Hallgrímskirkja – Hallgrimskirkja Church is easily the most recognizable attraction of Reykjavík  - the crowning glory.

It has a magnificent steeple of 73 m and you can easily see it from far away. It is the largest church in Iceland with a seat capacity of 1200 people. 

The construction started in 1945 and took about 40 years to finish. The church was inaugurated in 1986 (on October 26th). 

Hallgrimskirkja Church has the largest organ in Iceland from Johannes Klais in Germany (1992). 

The church is named after the reverend Hallgrimur Petursson, one of Iceland's most beloved religious poets who lived in the 17th century (1614-1674). His Hymns of the Passion have been read by generation after generation of Icelanders and you can hardly attend a funeral in Iceland without hearing a psalm by Hallgrimur at the end of the funeral service.

This is one of the places you definitely should visit! It is perfect for the traveler who wants to go up its tower (75 m) with an elevator and get a wonderful view of the surrounding area, the oldest part of Reykjavik.

Reykjavik City Museum - Arbaer Museum, some photos

Arbaer Museum is a wonderful outdoor museum which really is "a must see" for those visiting Reykjavik. You will see more than 20 old buildings forming a town square, a village and a farm. These are old houses which have mostly been relocated from the centre of Reykjavík.

  

You'll have a hard time beliving that you are actually in Reykjavik City instead of in the peaceful Icelandic countryside. Sheep, horses and cows can be seen among the old buildings.

 

The buildings in the museum are without a doubt some of the most beautiful buildings in Iceland.

 

Houses in Iceland were made of turf for many centuries. Can you imagine living in a turf house today?

 

Next photo is from the Árbær Church, a small and cosy church made of turf and timber. Many Icelanders like to get married there or to have their children baptised there.

  

 

Inside the Árbær Church, wooden benches and a very special atmosphere.

 

The old farm of Árbær. This is an orginial farm where people lived until in the 1950's. A beautiful building which you can explore inside.

 

 

Dillons House below. Don't miss the opportunity to sit down inside or outside and have a cup of hot chocolate or coffee with a delicious slice of cake.

 

A beautifully painted old timber house called Midhus.

 

And finally a house called Efstibaer.

A Popular Vegetable Market in the Countryside of Iceland

Don't forget to visit the vegetable market in Mosfellsdalur (near Reykjavik) if you visit Iceland between the months of July and September. You will be able to buy different kinds of vegetables, homegrown and fresh of course. The market is now ten years old and is open on Saturdays. Another attraction is the possibility to buy homemade jams, trout and char from Lake Thingvallavatn and even home-knitted woolen socks!

Slakki - a Small Zoo with Icelandic Domestic Animals in South Iceland

Here is an excellent opportunity for the family to take a look at some domestic animals in Iceland. If you travel a bit outside the Ring Road in South Iceland, in the neighbourhood of Skálholt (church, cultural center and former episcopacy), you will find Slakki zoo and entertainment park for the whole family. This is a distance of only 100 km from Reykjavik and makes for a delightful outing, especially if there are children travelling with you.

Slakki has been around for 14 years now and offers a small zoo consisting of animals such as rabbits, puppies, kittens, foxes, goats, gooses, ducks, chickens, piglets to name a few. It also offers a big area indoors (1000 m2) which means that although the weather might be rough you can enjoy the sun inside :-). There are good facilities for golfing, minigolf, several games etc.

And of course you can buy some refreshments.

From June 1st till September 1st the park will be open from 11-18 hours.

Ghosts in Stokkseyri, Iceland

We take our elves, trolls and ghosts very seriously! You might think that we are joking... but think again. In the very special seaside village of Stokkseyri you will find the Draugasetrid, a museum dedicated to ghosts. You should visit this interesting place and get acquainted with some Icelandic ghost stories and ... maybe - just maybe some real ghosts too.

Photos from Stokkseyri

Nearby there's another museum, Icelandic Wonders, where you can explore the mythical world of elves, trolls and northern lights. Don't miss the troll cave and the wonderful winter world with ice from the famous Vatnajökull glacier.

For your children we recommend the Magical Garden - Töfragarðurinn, an entertainment park for the whole family. Enjoy meeting some Icelandic domestic animals too.

www.draugasetrid.is
www.icelandicwonders.com
www.tofragardurinn.is

A welcoming ghost awaits you in the Ghost Museum (Draugasetrid)!

Seafood in the Red House, Eyrarbakki in South Iceland

The Red House (Rauða húsið) in Eyrarbakki, a small village in the South of Iceland, is well known for its seafood. They offer four big rooms and good facilities to welcome smaller or bigger groups of guests. Their main emphasis is on seafood, although the menu contains also all kinds of other food.

Photos from Eyrarbakki, Iceland.