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| Reykjavik
Travel Guide |
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'Smokey
Bay'
Reykjavik’s foundation is equally romantic
and charming as its location, set on the fringe
of the Atlantic Ocean, surrounded by a lunar volcanic netherworld,
with the shadowy hulk of Mount Esja in the background. Legend has
it that the world’s most northerly capital was founded by
a Viking called Ingólfur Arnarson. According to Iceland’s
ancient Sagas, he followed the Nordic tradition
of allowing the gods decide the location of his new home. As he
sailed towards the land, he threw 2 wooden pillars overboard and
sent his slaves off to find out where they came ashore. After traversing
the fertile south of Iceland, they expressed their frustration on
finding the pillars in the north: ‘For no good did we cross
fine districts in order to settle on this remote cape’. Arnarson
named Reykjavik ‘Smokey Bay’ after the steam rising
from the hot springs.
Today, these numerous geothermal springs, running
beneath the city, supply almost all the heating and water in the
city. The only by product of this system is a faint odour of hydrogen
sulphide, particularly evident when showering. But the low level
of fuel emissions gives Reykjavik clean air and crystal clear skies,
when it is not raining. The lack of pollution is also due to the
moderately small size of the capital. The city consisted of only
a few farmhouses until the middle of the 18th century when a small
trading community began to grow. It was granted a community charter
and gradually developed as an urban centre.
By the end of World War II, Iceland gained full independence
from Denmark and Reykjavik became Iceland’s capital city.
Although it still feels like a provincial town, with its low buildings
and brightly painted houses, Greater Reykjavik (including the Old
Town, harbour and 6 surrounding municipalities) is home to 3 out
of 5 Icelanders and the diminutive city dominates Iceland socially,
politically, economically and culturally.
Since Reagan and Gorbachev played out the end game of the Cold War
in Reykjavik in 1986, the city has surfaced as an unlikely tourist
destination. Countless travel articles are published focusing
on its immoral nightlife and 1000's of tourists a year fly to the
city to seek out the legendary bars and clubs. Considering that
beer prohibition only ended in 1989, this is predominantly impressive
but the locals seem to have made up for lost time and the scene
in the city centre at weekends is 1 of hedonistic mayhem. The city’s
nightlife is perhaps fuelled by the fact that most Icelanders let
go of their weekday Nordic calm and instead reveal the fiery Celtic
side of the their heritage (the Vikings kidnapped many Scots and
Irish on their way over), especially obvious in their friendliness
and openness to foreign visitors.
During the day, Reykjavik is a far more sedate
place with trim houses, rubbish free streets and a relaxed pace
of life. There are bountiful cultural attractions, countless cafés,
6 geothermal swimming baths and a myriad of day trip opportunities
into the stunning hinterland. 1 of the most charming things about
Reykjavik is that everything visitors would want to see is handily
situated within walking distance. Cultural festivals are also currently
multiplying and maturing, as Iceland begins to determine its cultural
identity.
Situated in Iceland's southwest corner, on Faxaflói Bay,
Reykjavik has a very wet climate and with winds
and rain blowing in from the sea. However, the Gulf Air Stream prevents
the city from becoming as cold as its northerly location might suggest.
Still, winters are long and bleak, with just 4 hours of daylight
on some days, although the chance to view the spectacular Aurora
Borealis or Northern Lights makes up for this. Summer, by contrast,
brings the famed midnight sun with the city’s inhabitants
at their most colourful and the streets taking on a much lighter
atmosphere at night. |
| Useful travel links |
| Reykjavik |
The Tourist
website to Reykjavik |
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