5 of the Best... Reykjavík

Located in the south-west of Iceland, the nation's capital is most people's gateway to the country's stunning natural wonders, whilst Reykjavík itself boasts some fascinating sights to explore. The most famous of all the landmarks here is the Hallgrímskirkja (the largest church of this island nation), but beyond this iconic sight, Reykjavík is home to some other stunning architectural gems. I was lucky enough to experience Iceland last November on an Intrepid Travel tour, whereby the trip started and ended in Reykjavík. The first evening I remember heading to the Hallgrímskirkja with my Auntie Val, to see it lit-up at night - a great start to the adventure! On the last afternoon of the group tour, we had a tour of the city on the group van - which is when I got the photos of the other '5 of the Best...' sights I've chose to feature in the article. I did get the chance to go into the Hallgrímskirkja on the last morning before departure, however I am aware there's lots of other sites that I didn't get the chance to go and see whilst there and therefore don't feature in this article. Nevertheless, the five I've chosen are intriguing in their own right! I hope you enjoy this article on this colourful Northern European capital city of Reykjavík...

1. Höfði House

First up in this '5 of the Best...' is a historically pertinent site overlooking the waterfront of Reykjavík; Höfði House is most well known for an event that took place back in 1986, when a meeting took place regarding the ending the Cold War between Russia and the United States. Present at the meeting was their respective presidents: Mikhail Gorbachev and Ronald Reagan. Whilst there was not an agreement as such in place from the meeting - it's believed both parties left with a better understanding of concessions that each other would make - and the fact the human rights was actively discussed together here, was too a promising thing. This Reykjavík Summit is certainly believed to have had a big influence in terms of getting to the point whereby in 1897, the INF Treaty was able to be signed in Washington.

This whitewashed building has also hosted Sir Winston Churchill, who visited and stayed here when visiting Iceland in 1941. Nowadays, the city hosts official city social functions, as it maintains its prominent role in Iceland's story, that's evolved ever since it was completed back in 1909. The style of the building is known as 'catalog style' - the actual wooden house was imported from Norway! This was set-up by Frenchman, Mr Billouin (he was a a French consul). He enabled this building to be built because it originally provided a base for French fisherman who chose this area as a place to fish. Little did Mr Billouin know at the time, the key role this building would go onto play in world history and global affairs! It's a piece of history to see today!

2. The Sun Voyager (Sólfar)

Situated a short-walk to the west of Höfði House on the north shoreline of Reykjavík, 'the Sun Voyager' monument is a highly symbolic Icelandic landmark. There's many different interpretations of this artwork - some describing it as 'an ode to the sun' or a 'dreamboat'. The artist (Jón Gunnar Árnason) intended the 'Sólfar' to convey 'the promise of undiscovered territory, a dream of hope, progress and freedom'. For an island nation like Iceland, I can certainly understand how a boat like symbol perched on the edge of the water like this, can evoke a range of emotions about what it means to be Icelandic. Located adjacent to the Sæbraut Road, it's made of stainless steel on granite slabs, with the measurements being 900 x 1800 x 700 centre-metres.

Jón Gunnar Árnason won a competition in 1986 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Reykjavík, which was run by the west part of the city's district association in order to fund a new outdoor sculpture. The artist made a small aluminium model of the Sun Voyager, which took the prize of winning the competition - being enlarged to make the current landmark we see today. Sigurjón Yngvason was a technologist who supervised the engineering of the sculpture alongside the artist, who was also ably supported by fellow artist Kristinn E. Hrafnsson. Reynir Hjálmtýrsson conducted the building itself at Orri, Mosfellssveit - before being put in its current Reykjavík home.

3. Harpa

The most modern of the places featured in this '5 of the Best...' the architecturally stunning 'Harpa', which is a concert hall and conference centre, has become one the most memorable buildings to see on a quick drive around Reykjavík. Opened as recently as 2011, it's become a tourist destinations that's been visited by millions since - its official website claims that it is 'a centre of cultural and social life in the very heart of the city'. Awarded the Mies van der Rohe - European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture Award in 2013, it's become a staple on any tour of architectural highlights in Reykjavík. Regular concerts are held here throughout the year by the likes of the Iceland Symphony Orchestra, Reykjavík Big Band and Icelandic Opera.

4. Reykjavík City Hall

Perched on the north shores of the Lake Törnin, I chose to feature Reykjavík's City Hall (Ráðhúsið) here because of the superb 3D model of Iceland on the ground floor. I remember our superb Intrepid Tour Guide, Sigurder, utilising this grand model to explain the topography and geological highlights of 'the land of fire and ice'. It was really interesting to view this detail map after five days exploring the south of the country on the tour, and it helped us realise the gradient changes across the country. We could identify Reykjavík in Iceland's southwesterly region, on the Reykjanes Peninsula, whilst further east in the southern lands, we could see the vast Jökulsárlón glacier. It's sobering to realise the scale of how quickly these glaciers are melting. The 3D map provides an excellent perspective of glaciers, mountains and rivers with the detail it provides.

The City Hall opened in 1992, whereby the Iceland 3D model was placed in the Lake Room (with a great view over the lake) - where it has remained ever since. The 76.4 square metre model was built by carpenters at the Model Workshop of the City of Reykjavík. Those involved were: Axel Helgason, Árni Hreidar Árnason, Jónas Magnússon, Kristján Sigurðsson, Sigurður Halldórsson, whilst the painting was completed by Sigurður Pálsson. Also worth noting about the City Hall, is how it is also home to the official Tourist Information Centre. This can prove a very useful place to visit to book tours or ask for advice about an Icelandic journey in person. It's free to enter here and experience the 3D map - I'm grateful to visit here on our last full day of our Icelandic adventure.

5. Hallgrímskirkja

I've saved the best 'till last in this edition of '5 of the Best...', with my favourite sight in all of Iceland: the stunning Hallgrímskirkja. It's seen as a icon of the nation; I'm priviliged to have experience it in person. Here's the story of this remarkable landmark... The curved spire of the Hallgrímskirkja rises 74.5 metres high and offers stunning views across the rooftops of the capital city. It's a Lutheran Church and is named after the cleric and poet, Hallgrímur Pétursson, who lived in the 17th century. Iceland's most prominent place of worship is famous for its distinctive exterior, whereby its columnar basalt façade resembles those found in the natural landscape. It was Guðjón Samúelsson who was the mastermind architect that designed the Hallgrímskirkja, which was constructed relatively recently back in 1986. With that said, it's become a building recognised around the world, and one that without realising the date it was built - most people would presume it was a lot older than it was! The way it looks like it belongs, perched atop one the higher areas of land in Reykjavík, makes it look like it's been there for centuries.

The acoustics inside the soaring nave of the Hallgrímskirkja echoes all around you in a truly spiritual experience. I remember back in November last year, on the last day of this bucket-list trip to Iceland, I had the last morning free in Reykjavík to explore. With that free time - I was always going to head to see the Hallgrímskirkja. After visiting on the first night after arriving in the country, seeing it all lit-up, it was a fitting finishing point to an adventure in this country. There was music being played at the time I entered the church - it really pulls the visitor into the welcoming space. Iceland's a vast country with so much open wilderness, and I think that the mostly plain interior of this place of worship stands as a real metaphor for the beauty that can be found in the snow and sky. The Hallgrímskirkja is a jewel in Iceland's crown - one of the world's great places of worship!

By Aaron Woodruff

Lessons and Joys of Travel

15/08/2024