History of Reykjavík

Ingólfur Arnarson, who is considered the first settler of Iceland, is believed to have arrived in 870 and named the place Reykjavík, where the city now stands today. Recent archaeological discoveries in the centre of Reykjavík — particularly in Aðalstræti, Suðurgata, Kirkjustræti, and Lækjargata — support this belief, as human remains dating back to around 870 have been found in these areas.

Over time, additional farms were established nearby, most notably at Laugarnes and Nes by Seltjörn. In 1226, settlement began on Viðey Island when monks of the Augustinian Order founded a monastery there.

Víkurkirkja stood near the town of Reykjavík as early as the year 1200. Urban settlement in Reykjavík did not begin to take shape until the 18th century; before then, farms of various sizes were scattered across the area where the city now stands. In the 18th century, efforts were made to establish a wool industry in Reykjavík, known as Innréttingarnar. This initiative marked a turning point in the area’s development, as Reykjavík began to take on the appearance of a small village. Sixteen houses were built in connection with the wool industry - a significant increase at the time - and traces of two of these buildings can still be seen today.

The country’s first prison was constructed between 1761 and 1771 - a stately stone building that today serves as the office of the Government of Iceland on Lækjargata. Reykjavík Cathedral was consecrated in 1796 and was the first building constructed specifically with the intention of making Reykjavík the capital of Iceland.

Reykjavík was granted town rights in 1786, following the abolition of the national trading monopoly. That same year, Hólavallaskóli school was founded. The royal decree of 1786 granted six Icelandic trading posts town privileges, allowing residents to adopt a coat of arms and a town seal - Reykjavík was one of these six places.

These town rights remained in effect until 1836, when a new directive declared Reykjavík the only official town in Iceland, while other settlements were designated as authorized trading places. From 1815 onward, Reykjavík used a town seal depicting a standing fisherman, a boat, and a flatfish. This seal served as the city’s emblem until 1957, when the current logo was introduced.

The modern logo of the City of Reykjavík features Ingólfur Arnarson’s white pillars of excellence rising above stylized waves on a blue background, framed within Gothic shields. It was designed by the artist Halldór Pétursson.

During the 19th century, clusters of small houses and fishermen’s huts began to form throughout the town. Alþingi, the national parliament, was reestablished in Reykjavík in 1845. The following year, Reykjavík High School was relocated from Bessastaðir to the city centre.

In 1881, Alþingishúsið (the Parliament House) was inaugurated. The Naval Academy began operations in 1891, following the introduction of decked ships to Iceland. In 1898, construction of Miðbæjarskólinn by Tjarnargata was completed, though the building was not taken into use until the autumn of 1908, when nearly three hundred primary school students began their studies there.

The University of Iceland was founded on June 17, 1911 - the centenary of Jón Sigurðsson’s birth. For its first 29 years, the University was housed in Alþingishúsið by Austurvöllur. Upon its establishment, the School of Priests, the School of Medicine, and the School of Law were merged to form separate faculties, and a Faculty of Philosophy was added as well.

Vatnsveita Reykjavíkur, the Reykjavík Waterworks, began operations in 1909. The city’s first gasworks, located at Hlemmur, opened in 1910 and remained in operation until 1956. The Reykjavík Harbour was constructed in stages between 1913 and 1917, greatly improving facilities for maritime trade and transport.

In 1921, Elliðaárvirkjun power station was built to supply the rapidly growing city with electricity. Seven years later, in 1928, Reykjavík’s first district heating well was drilled at Þvottalaugarnar, an area long used for washing clothes. During drilling, the water flow increased to 14 litres per second at a temperature of 87°C. The hot water was piped approximately three kilometres to Sundhöllin swimming pool, Austurbæjarskóli school, Landspítali hospital, and around sixty nearby houses.

In March 1937, Reykjavík Swimming Hall (Sundhöll Reykjavíkur) was inaugurated - the city’s first indoor swimming pool.

Reykjavík’s first mayor, Páll Einarsson, took office in 1908. That same year, the first women in Iceland were elected to the municipal council, running as candidates on a women’s list in the Reykjavík municipal elections of January 1908.

These are only a few highlights in the city’s rich history. Today, Reykjavík has grown and thrived in step with the spirit of the times. It stands as the capital of Iceland and the country’s most populous municipality - the nation’s economic, cultural, and political centre.