Historical Sites in Iceland

Things to Do in and around Reykjavík: Historical Sites

Reykjavík and the surrounding towns are home to two thirds of Iceland's population of 330.000. This city is vibrant and bubbling with artistic creativity, rich with history and at the same time very close to nature. Whether you're visiting landmarks like Hallgrimskirkja church, Harpa concert hall and city hall, bathing in Nautholsvik Geothermal Beach or enjoying some of the local parks, one thing is certain – you won't be bored in Reykjavík.

Reykjavík' Oldest Street

Excavations on Adalstraeti street have revealed ruins dating back to Viking era when the first settlers came to Iceland. In 1752, the enterprising Constable Skuli Magnusson, sometimes known as the father of Reykjavík, decided it should be a site for various factory workshops called the « Innrettinger », which eventually grew into the core of what we now call downtown Reykjavík.

The Oldest Timber Building

Adalstraeti 10 is considered the city's oldest timber house. In olden times it was the residence of Bishop Geir Vidalin (1761 – 1823), whose hospitality was infamous. He was so generous that he went bankrupt and a committee had to be formed to control his finances.

The Falcon House

On the corner of Hafnarstraeti and Adalstraeti, you'ill find the Falcon House. Icelandic falcons (Falco Rusticolus) were kept in a house on this site before being shipped to buyers overseas, namely European aristocracy. Statues of falcons adorn the house to this day, reminding us of its former role.

The House of Parliament

Iceland's Alpingi is the world's oldest parliament still functioning. Founded in 930 AD, it predates Great Britain's parliament by 777 years, the US Congress by 851 years and Russian's Duma by 976 years. Despite this, Iceland's house of Parliament was only built in 1881 and until 1799, the Alpingi assembled outdoors at Pingvellir National Park.

Austurböllur

The green square in front of the House of Parliament is in many ways the beating heart of the city. It's a meeting place for the people of Reykjavík, no matter if the occasion is a happy one or more contentious. People will flock to the square to sit in the sun on a summer's day and in winter, it's the location of the city's biggest Christmas tree. During times of political struggle, it's also where people gather to voice their discontent with the rules of the land.

A centric street in Reykjavík's downtown. Photo by Olga

City Hall

By the city pond stands Reykjavík's city hall, a palace of glass and concrete built in 1993. The building is the result of an architectural competition and the building masterfully connects the water of the pond with the man-made buildings on the banks. The 15 columns in the water represent the 15 city councillors. The building houses their offices as well as the mayor's, an exhibition hall and the city's official tourist information centre.

Hljomskalinn

The park around the city pond is named for this octagonal towerlike structure, built to house the Reykjavík brass band. Hljomskalinn was the first building in Iceland purposely built for musicians, although it was only intended for practices, not concerts. Although Hljomskalinn looks like a modest building today, it was controversial at the time it was built and many considered it way to tall and a blight on an otherwise beautiful park.

The National Gallery

The main building of the National Gallery was built in 1916 as an ice house. Before modern refrigeration, ice was taken from the pond and kept in ice houses until it was used to keep food fresh and fish for foreign markets unspoilt. When modern refrigeration replaced the ice houses, a night club moved in and became legendary during the Beatles era of music. It burned down one night and wasn't rebuilt because of a petition by the building's neighbours. The National Gallery received the building in ruins but it was rebuilt with an extension to become the stately building it is today.

Ingolfsbrekka Hill

Probably one of the best-preserved sections of old Reykjavík's landscape. In 1806, it marked the eastern boundary of the city. Most of these houses were supposed to have been torn down but a group of locals protested and the houses were restored to their original glory.

Government House

Completed in 1771, this was Iceland's first proper prison, designed to hold 16 felons and 54 misdemeanants – serving as such until 1816. Today it houses the Prime Minister's Office and serves as the meeting place for the state council consisting of Iceland's 12 ministers. Some like to say that while they closed the prison, the criminals still haven't left the building.

Laugavegur

Now crowded with boutiques and cafés, Laugavegur wasn't always so glamorous. The street gained its name (Lauga + vegur = pool + road) from the washerwomen who would tread through the mud carrying heavy loads of laundry to the geothermal pools in Laugardalur valley.

Gossip Ledge

On the corner of Skolavördustigur and Bergstadastraeti is a place called “gossip Ledge”. In olden times it was customary for people in Reykjavík to gather here and swap gossip. The local gossip has since moved to the Reykjavík city hot ubs, where all of Iceland's most important discussions now take place.

The Punishment House

One of the city's oldest buildings is the Hegningarhusid jail (literal translation, The Punishment House) built in 1874. At the time it was considered a humane alternative to physical punishment but by the time the 21st century rolled around, its lack of a gym and a cafeteria, among other shortcomings, rendered it outdated. It functioned as a prison until spring 2016.

Hallgrimskirkja

Hallgrimskirkja is one of the most recognisable landmarks in Reykjavík and the view from the top of the church tower is incomparable. The church was designed by Iceland's most prolific architect during the 20th century, Gudjon Samuelsson, who was inspired by the columnar basalt which can be found in Icelandic nature. The church is named for Hallgrimur Petrusson, a 17th-century minister, whose poetry is one of the most important in Icelandic literary history. He wrote an epic 50-poem hymn dedicated to the Passion of the Christ and a hymn which to this day is sung at most funerals in Iceland.