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: 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.

Reykjavik Attractions

Reykjavik has many attractions to offer, to suit almost every taste. You could choose among the following things to do:

• Reykjavik and Nature - discover the many walks you can take in beautiful surroundings in Reykjavik itself, e.g. Ellidaar Valley, stroll along the Aegissida beach in the western part of Reykjavik, take the boat to Videy Island, explore the valley of Laugardalur with the botanical garden and Reykjavik Zoo e.t.c.
• Reykjavik and Museums - visit the many museums available e.g. The National Museum of Iceland and The Settlement Exhibition Reykjavik.
• Reykjavik and Art - see the many art museums and galleries Reykjavik has to offer, among them The Asmundur Sveinsson Museum, The Einar Jonsson Museum, The National Gallery of Iceland, The Reykjavik Art Museum and more.

Reykjavik harbour

Enjoy a walk along Reykjavík harbour. It’s not crowded and on sunny days you’ll see some people strolling around, some jogging or skating or just sitting there reading in peace. All this until past midnight when there is still nice and romantic light around (in the summertime of course)!

Photo: Reykjavik harbour by Christian Bickel, from Wikipedia Commons.

Hot spots in Reykjavik - Ellidaar valley (Elliðaárdalur)

Did you know that salmon can be caught in Reykjavík? Not exactly in the center but still in the city, in the river Elliðaá. The river's valley, Elliðaárdalur,is an extremely popular area for fishing (permit costs), walking, jogging, biking and even horseback riding. Another one of my personal favorites and most precious hot spot in Iceland.

If you have a car, you can take the direction for getting out of Reykjavík. After you’ve crossed the Elliðaábridge and are driving up the slope called Ártúnsbrekka, you turn to the right.

Next you take a left turn and follow a road called Rafstöðvarvegur. But only for a few meters.  You will soon see walking paths and small parking spaces where people park their cars while walking.

Hot spots in Reykjavik - Heidmork (Heiðmörk)

You don't have to go far from Reykjavík to find wonderful areas for walking among trees (well... WE call it trees!) and wild flowers to the music of birds. Heiðmörk is such a place and one of my own favorite places for walking.

It can be approached from different directions but the most direct way is to take the main road from Reykjavík, Suðurlandsvegur (Road 1), as if you were going to Hveragerði or Selfoss.

After you have passed a small lake, Rauðavatn, in front of the last buildings to be seen in Reykjavík, look out for a sign on your right, Heiðmerkurvegur nr. 408. Turn there, drive on, passing the "red hills" called Rauðhólar until you find an area you like. There are many walking trails. Just take care not to get lost...

You could also make a stop near Rauðhólar (lava hills) and walk there.

Reykjavik - Videy Island

How about a little sailing adventure? - Videy island is the largest island in Faxafloi bay and a part of the city of Reykjavik. There are regular boat trips to the island from the 1st of May - 30th September.

This is one of the most "hidden" hot spots in Iceland. The island is there in front of you in Faxafloi bay, but you don't "see" it... While in Viðey, keep in mind that the island has probably been inhabited since about the time when the first explorers came to Iceland.

Try to imagine the different activities through the ages. There was a monastery in Videy for centuries, a hospital for the leprous, farmland, printing house etc. You can also find the oldest house in Reykjavík on the island, Viðeyjarstofa, built in 1753-1755 which now houses one of the most interesting restaurants of Reykjavík.