Iceland’s first parliament, the ´¡±ôþ¾±²Ô²µ¾±, was created at Þingvellir in AD 930. After losing independence in the 13th century, the country gradually won back its autonomy, and the modern ´¡±ôþ¾±²Ô²µ¾± moved into this current basalt building in 1881. A stylish glass-and-stone annexe was completed in 2002. Visitors can attend sessions (four times weekly mid-September to early June) when parliament is sitting; see website for details.
©Egill Bjarnason/Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¼´Ê±¿ª½±
Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¼´Ê±¿ª½±'s must-see attractions
27.41 MILES
The world’s oldest parliament, Althingi (pronounced ál-thingk-ee; also called Alþing) was uniquely situated at this monumental site where two tectonic…
25.9 MILES
Near the dramatic Almannagjá fault and fronted by a boardwalk is the Lögberg (Law Rock), where the ´¡±ôþ¾±²Ô²µ¾± (Parliament) convened annually. This was where…
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The Þingvellir plain is situated on a tectonic-plate boundary where North America and Europe are tearing away from each other at a rate of 1mm to 18mm per…
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¸é±ð²â°ìÂá²¹±¹Ã°ì’s immense white-concrete church (1945–86), star of a thousand postcards, dominates the skyline and is visible from up to 20km away. An elevator…
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Artefacts from settlement to the modern age fill the creative display spaces of Iceland's superb National Museum. Exhibits give an excellent overview of…
26.94 MILES
Housed in an imaginatively restored warehouse by the harbour, the must-see Settlement Centre offers fascinating insights into the history of Icelandic…
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This fascinating archaeological ruin-museum is based around a 10th-century Viking longhouse unearthed here from 2001 to 2002 and other Settlement-Era…
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With its ever-changing facets glistening on the water's edge, ¸é±ð²â°ìÂá²¹±¹Ã°ì’s sparkling Harpa concert hall and cultural centre is a beauty to behold. In…
Nearby ¸é±ð²â°ìÂá²¹±¹Ã°ì attractions
1. Ingibjörg H Bjarnason Statue
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Two things set the statue of Ingibjörg H Bjarnason apart from other monuments in the area: it depicts a historical female figure and it is not made by…
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With a series of sights and interesting historic buildings, the area dubbed Old ¸é±ð²â°ìÂá²¹±¹Ã°ì is the heart of the capital, and the focal point of many…
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Iceland’s main cathedral, ¶Ùó³¾°ì¾±°ù°ìÂá²¹ is a modest affair, but it played a vital role in the country’s conversion to Lutheranism. The current building (built…
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The statue in the centre of ´¡³Ü²õ³Ù³Ü°ù±¹Ã¶±ô±ô³Ü°ù park is of Jón Sigurðsson, who led the campaign for Icelandic independence.
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Grassy ´¡³Ü²õ³Ù³Ü°ù±¹Ã¶±ô±ô³Ü°ù was once part of first-settler Ingólfur Arnarson’s hay fields. Today it’s a favourite spot for cafe lounging or lunchtime picnics and…
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This statue represents Skúli Magnússon, the ‘Father of ¸é±ð²â°ìÂá²¹±¹Ã°ì’, who organised the city's early industry.
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¸é±ð²â°ìÂá²¹±¹Ã°ì’s waterside ¸éáð³óú²õ is a beautifully positioned postmodern construction of concrete stilts, tinted windows and mossy walls rising from Tjörnin…
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This fascinating archaeological ruin-museum is based around a 10th-century Viking longhouse unearthed here from 2001 to 2002 and other Settlement-Era…