City guide · Reykjavík

Reykjavík

'Smoky Bay': a Viking settlement and the world's northernmost capital

Photo: Szilas · Public domain

Reykjavík is the world's northernmost capital and the starting point for exploring Iceland. From here, in a day you can drive the 'Golden Circle' to the parliament plains of Þingvellir, then head south along the coast to the black-sand beach and its basalt columns.

History

How the city came to be

According to Iceland's Book of Settlements, Ingólfur Arnarson from Norway made his home here in 874, beginning the settlement of Iceland; 'Reykjavík' means 'smoky bay'. In 930 Icelanders founded their parliament, the Althing, at Þingvellir to the east, and there in 999 or 1000 the assembly decided the whole country would adopt Christianity. Hallgrímskirkja in the city centre today takes its design from the columnar basalt typical of Iceland.

874Ingólfur Arnarson settled in Reykjavík
930The Althing was established at Þingvellir
1000The Althing decided to adopt Christianity
1924The statue of Ingólfur was unveiled in Reykjavík

Stories

Stories of the city

History · Þingvellir National Park

A day and a night thinking under a blanket

In 999 or 1000, Iceland's parliament, the Althing, was deadlocked over whether to follow Norse paganism or Christianity. The Christian side's lawspeaker left the decision to the pagan chieftain Þorgeir. He covered himself with a fur cloak and thought silently for a day and a night, then announced that Iceland would convert to Christianity, averting a possible civil war. Legend says that on returning home he threw his statues of the Norse gods into a waterfall, which is why it's called 'Goðafoss', the waterfall of the gods.

Legend · Reykjavík

High-seat pillars that let the gods choose the site

According to the 'Book of Settlements', Ingólfr Arnarson and his foster brother Hjörleifr sailed from Norway to Iceland. On sighting land he threw the pillars from either side of his high seat into the sea, vowing to settle wherever the gods let them wash ashore. Two slaves searched the coast for three years before finding the pillars in a small bay — the place that later became Reykjavík.

People