City Walk

Reykjavik is a compact city so it's relatively easy to cover the core on foot in a day. We set off this morning in brighter weather and first came across the Penalty House, one of Iceland's oldest buildings, built in 1874 and still functioning as a prison today.

It's beautifully constructed with volcanic rock but doesn't look particulary high security!

Further down the same road and I was captured on film at a place called 'Gossip's Ledge' It's an uneven semi circle of rock set in the pavement where in days gone by, it was customary for people to gather and swap gossip. Is Jim implying something, I wonder?

Close by is Government House which houses the Prime Minister's Office.

We walked a little further before arriving at Tjornin, the city pond, which is flanked on either side by some of the city's most exclusive houses and where in winter when the pond freezes over, the locals play ice hockey and go skating on the ice.

Near here is the National Art Gallery which we had been looking forward to visiting but unfortunately we arrived too early in the morning before opening time so we decided  to press on to The National Museum of Iceland instead. This proved to be a fascinating exhibition of Iceland's cultural history from its settlement in the 9th century to the present day. I was completely taken with some of the artefacts from ancient graves of heathen women - such beautiful necklaces and bracelets along with combs and spoons made from whalebone. 

In the City Hall we had hoped to see the famous relief map of Iceland made of 1mm thick paper sheets built up in layers and glued together onto plywood into a kind of mega Tracy Island. Unfortunately, it was being repaired and would not be returned until October so our luck was out there too!

We ambled on to the harbour area and spotted the coast guard vessel and several whale watching boats. 

The weather had worsened by this time so we decided to make for the fabulous new concert and conference centre known as Harpa. This is a spectacular glass building providing a venue for the Symphony Orchestra and Icelandic Opera.

It's an extraordinary space and one which induced vertigo on several occasions in one who shall remain nameless!

Our next stop was at the Viking ship steel structure - the most photographed tourist attraction in Reykjavik, with views over to Esjan in the north.

Next we walked to Hofoi, the simple whitewashed building made famous as the location of the summit meeting between Reagan and Gorbachev in 1986 which signified the beginning of the end of the Cold War.

A detour to the Kjarvalsstaoir Art Gallery was disappointing although one or two works were exceptional. Mostly given over to a single Icelandic artist, Johannes Kjarval, it consisted mainly of abstract work exploring aspects of the Icelandic landscape. 

Lastly we made it to the famous Lutheran church of Hallgrimskirkja. Built in concrete to resemble the basalt lava flows, the same theme is echoed in the 5000+ organ pipes.

From the top of the tower we had terrific panoramic views of the city.

Downtown Reykjavik was slightly less salubrious with its open air cinema and free accommodation!

Tomorrow the Golden Circle beckons!