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    Tourist Attractions in Reykjavik

    The most interesting and beautiful tourist attractions in Reykjavik. Photos and a brief description.

    Reykjavik
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    About Reykjavik

    Reykjavik is a harsh “smoky bay”, where the Norwegian Viking Arnarson arrived from time immemorial to build a home on its shores. The capital of Iceland is special. It fits so harmoniously into the magnificent northern landscape that it seems as if the steeple of the Hatlgrimskirkya Church, which is pointing upwards, is the top of a flaming volcano, and the northern lights are about to light up on the glass walls of the Harpa.

    Reykjavik has a unique aura. Its charm captures the traveler from the first minutes. There are no old buildings here, but there is a grandiose Perlan and modern museums. Tourists will not see traditional cathedrals and cobblestone squares in the capital of Iceland, but they will fully enjoy a walk along the embankment, which offers a stunning view of the ocean.

    Top Tourist Attractions in Reykjavik

    Concert Hall "Harpa"

    The concert hall is located in the city harbor. Its grand opening took place in 2011. The project of this modern irregular- shaped building with a glass-lined facade was designed by the Danish architect H. Larsen and designer O. Eliasson. Harp has four concert venues with excellent acoustics. The National Symphony Orchestra performs here and the Icelandic Opera gives performances.

    Concert Hall
    Sculpture

    Sculpture "Sun Voyager"

    The steel statue, which was created according to the sketches of the sculptor J. G. Arnason. Contrary to popular belief, the bizarre metal figure does not depict a Viking ship, but symbolizes the desire to explore the unknown and new discoveries. It is best to admire the sculpture at sunset, when the sun ball sinks below the horizon and illuminates the steel frame with faded rays.

    Leygavegur Street

    The alley is located in the center of Reykjavik. Translated from Icelandic, its name means "the road to the hot spring". It is literally littered with shops with seductive bright showcases. Leygavegur Street is the main commercial artery of the city. During the day, you can arrange shopping or just take a walk here, and at night visit one of the many bars and enjoy the cheerful atmosphere.

    Leygavegur Street
    Reykjavik City Hall

    Reykjavik City Hall

    A modern building built in 1992, located in the center of the Icelandic capital on the shore of Lake Tjernin. It seems as if the walls of the building grow right out of the water. Here is the headquarters of the city administration, as well as halls for conferences, exhibitions, concerts and performances. The attention of tourists is attracted by the 3D map of Iceland, which is located inside.

    The House of Khevdi

    The building of the beginning of the XX century in the sparsely populated northern part of Reykjavik. The house was built in 1909 for the French consul in the Art Nouveau architectural style. For some time, the Icelandic poet and journalist E. Benedichtsson lived in it. In 1986, a summit was held in Khevdi, attended by R. Reagan and M. Gorbachev. The house is closed to the public, so tourists can see it only from the outside.

    The House of Khevdi
    Perlan

    Perlan

    The building is located on the top of Oskulid Hill. In fact, this is a boiler room, into which water comes from thermal springs. On the ground floor there is an exhibition gallery where concerts, fairs and vernissages take place. The fourth floor is occupied by an observation deck with telescopes and several shops, and the fifth is a restaurant with a rotating dome, which is illuminated by bright lights at night.

    Hatlgrimskirkja Church

    The grandiose Lutheran Church, which is considered one of the most picturesque attractions of Reykjavik. It was built from 1945 to 1986. The work was delayed due to funding difficulties and the protest of citizens against the appearance of the church. Despite all the obstacles, the building turned out to be simply magnificent. It looks like a flame frozen in ice and a mountain peak pointing to the sky.

    Hatlgrimskirkja Church
    Reykjavik Cathedral

    Reykjavik Cathedral

    The main city temple looks quite modest against the background of the outstanding Hatlgrimskirkya church. It was built at the end of the XVIII century in the Danish colonial style, which is characterized by simplicity, conciseness of forms and lack of lush decor. The cathedral is more like a parish church than a metropolitan church. There is a green lawn near the building, where, in good weather, citizens settle down to rest.

    National Museum of Iceland

    Getting to know the museum's collection is an immersion into the mysterious world of Iceland: in the harsh times of Viking raids, pagan rituals and the dark era of the Early Middle Ages. Here you can look at the figure of Thor, which is more than 1000 years old, and the first Bible in Icelandic, as well as see national costumes, weapons and jewelry. The museum has a modern scientific library.

    Reykjavik Museum of Art

    Reykjavik Museum of Art

    The exhibition is located in three buildings located in different parts of Reykjavik. A collection of paintings is exhibited in the first building, sculptures in the second, and contemporary art in the third. There are many works of Icelandic masters in the museum. Among them there are paintings by artists Y. Svensson and G. Gudmudson, as well as the sculptor A. Sveinson. The halls of the gallery are often used for theatrical productions and concerts.

    Arbaeyarsafn Open-Air Museum

    The exposition is located outdoors. It is a reconstruction of Iceland's past. Visitors can see the traditional houses of the inhabitants of the island, learn about the traditions and everyday affairs of people. The complex was opened in 1957 on the site of abandoned farms. Some of the buildings were restored (they were included in the collection), the other part was transported from the center of Reykjavik. In addition to residential buildings, there is a church, a blacksmith shop, workshops, warehouses.

    Arbaeyarsafn Open-Air Museum
    Vikin Maritime

    Vikin Maritime

    The museum collection is entirely devoted to navigation. The most grandiose exhibit is the Odin vessel, which has been engaged in rescuing wrecked ships for a long time. Also, the attention of visitors will be attracted by the tugboat "Magni" (the first ship that was built in Iceland). The museum regularly hosts temporary vernissages dedicated to marine themes. There is also a permanent exhibition.

    Museum Einar Jonsson Museum

    An exhibition of works by the famous Icelandic sculptor E. Jonsson, who, thanks to his remarkable talent, has achieved recognition not only in his homeland, but also around the world. The museum was founded in 1923 in a building designed by the master himself. The main exhibition area is located in the garden, where several dozen statues stand among trees and flowers. Hatlgrimskirkja Church is located nearby.

    Museum Einar Jonsson Museum
    Phallological Museum

    Phallological Museum

    The collection of this unusual museum consists of preserved animal phalluses. In 2011, a human organ appeared here. The smallest exhibit should be viewed through a magnifying glass, the largest weighs 70 kg and reaches 170 cm in length. The exhibition was organized by S. Hjartarson, who has been collecting phalluses since 1974. In 1997, he decided to make them public.

    Exhibition "Reykjavik 871 ± 2"

    A small interactive exhibition dedicated to the history of Reykjavik. There are few real exhibits, mostly visitors are invited to watch films and videos about the peculiarities of the construction of urban dwellings and the life of the first settlers of the island. The whole theme of the museum revolves around the excavations of the farmstead, the approximate age of which is 871 years. Hence the name of the exhibition.

    Exhibition
    Aurora Reykjavik

    Aurora Reykjavik

    The center of the Northern Lights, where you can learn everything about this amazing natural phenomenon and see it on big screens. The complex is divided into four sections. In the first, visitors are told about the history of the origin of the northern lights, in the second they show it in all its glory, in the third you can hear stories and legends collected from around the world, in the fourth there is an exhibition of photographs of the aurora.

    Museum "Whales of Iceland"

    The museum opened in 2014. It is located in the old harbor within walking distance from the center of Reykjavik. The collection consists of 23 life-size whale models. The exhibits are created with amazing precision. At close range, you can even see the scars on the skin of animals. With the help of virtual reality attractions, visitors can go on a "swim" with dolphins and whales.

    Museum
    Peace Column

    Peace Column

    The memorial on the island of Videy, created in memory of John Lennon in 2007. The design was developed by the widow of musician Yoko Ono. The column is a granite pedestal on which the inscription "Imagine peace" (imagine the world) is printed in 24 languages. Rays of light burst out of the base, reaching an incredible height of 4 km in clear weather. These jets of light are created with the help of powerful spotlights.

    Lake Tiernin

    The reservoir is located in the very center of Reykjavik. The main city attractions are concentrated around it, which are reflected on the mirror surface of the water. Geese, ducks and swans build nests on the lake. In winter, the reservoir freezes, but so that the birds do not die, it is thawed with the help of thermal springs (not all, only a small part). The term is considered one of the cleanest lakes in the world.

    Lake Tiernin
    Nautholsvik Beach

    Nautholsvik Beach

    Geothermal beach in the suburban area of Reykjavik. Despite the fact that even in July-August, the water temperature in the Atlantic Ocean does not rise above the 15 °C mark, in the coastal zone near Nautholsvik it stays at 38-42 °C. The secret lies in the thermal springs that heat the sea water. The area for comfortable bathing is an outdoor swimming pool located on the shore of the bay.