Reykjavík Statues

Who’s Who of Reykjavík Statues

Walking through Reykjavík, especially in the city centre, you’ll notice several statues of notable Icelanders decorating parks parks and squares. For the uninitiated, these statues don’t mean much but if you’re curious to know what these people have done, read on:

Jon Sigurdsson (1811 – 1879): Born June 17th, 1811, Jon Sigurdsson became the beloved leader of Iceland’s struggle for independence and separation from Danish rule in the 19th centurty. In commemoration for his efforts, Iceland celebrates its independence Day on Jon’s birthday. You’ll also find this handsome fellw on the 500 ISK note. Sculptor: Einar Jonsson.

Ingibjörg H. Bjarnason (1867 – 1941): Ingibjörg was the first female member of Alpingi, Iceland’s parliament, in 1922. Her statue is also the first full-size statue of an Identified female in Reykjavík and was unveiled in 2015. For most of her life, Ingibjörg worked in education and was the principal of Kvennaskinn i Reykjavík (Reykjavík’s school for women) for more than three decades. She also fought diligently for the rights of women, public healthcare and progressive education. Sculptor: Ragnheidur Stefansdottir.

Skuli Magnusson (1711 – 1794): It was Sheriff Skuli Magnusson, dubbed the «Father of Reykjavík », who first brought factory production to Reykjavík with the so-called « Innrettingar » industrial worshops, beginning the industrialisation of Iceland. Sculptor: Gudmundur Einarsson.

Bertel Thorvaldsen (1770 – 1844): The humble son of an Icelandic woodcarver settled in Denmark and became one of the most sought after sculptors in Europe, working for royalty, aristocrats and renowned collectors. He even made a sculpture for St. Peter’s basilica in Rome, although since he wasn’t a catholic himself, he wasn’t allowed to sign his work. Sculptor: Bertel Thorvaldsen.

Chariot of fire. Photo by Olga

Jonas Hallgrimsson (1807 – 1845): If the pen is mightier than the sword, then this man was a Sherman tank. His sweeping romantic poetry on Icelandic nature and beauty coincided with the nation’s battle for independence. In fact, many consider his words to be one of the driving forces behind Icelanders’ insistence on independence from the Danish crown. Sculptor: Einar Jonsson.

Hannes Hafstein (1861 – 1922): In 1904, Hannes became the first Icelander to be appointed to the Danish Cabinet as the Minister for Icelandic Affairs, and later, Iceland’s first prime minister. He was also a poet and, perhaps, fittingly for an Icelander, his most famous poem is a loving ode to the storm.

King Christian IX: Ruled Denmark from 1863 to 1906, known as the Grandfather of Europe as many of his descendants married into other royal houses. In 1874, he issued a new constitution for Iceland, a compromise between Iceland’s demand for sovereighnty and Denmark’s interest in maintaining the monarchy. Sculptor : Einar Jonsson.

Ingolfur Aranarson: According to Iceland’s Book of Settlement, the first permanent settler, Ingolfur Arnarson, threw his two wooden chieftain poles overboard, believing that wherever thet washed ashore was where he was fated to build his settlement. He’s supposed to have ended up in Reykjavík and Archaeological excavations at Adalsraeti and Sudurgata streets have revealed evidence of an ancient settlement that supports this story. Sculptor : Einar Jonsson.

Leif the Lucky: Christopher Columbus who? Icelanders will happily explain that it was their own Leifur Eiriksson who discovered America some 600 years before Columbus. As a « thanks for finding us » present to Iceland, America gave the nation this heroic statue of the Leif the Lucky, which now perches on the highest hill in downtown Reykjavík. Sculptor: Alexander S. Calder