At the center of downtown Reykjavik is Lake Tjornin, also known as the Pond (above). Around the lake are a number of attractions and places of interest including Reykjavik's Town Hall, which extends out over the water. The building opened in 1992 and houses the office of the mayor and various exceutive departments. It was also designed as an exhibition center and is used for various events. A permanent exhibition is a 3D map of Iceland.
Other government buildings nearby include the Althings Parliament House. Iceland boasts the world's oldest democratic assembly and since 1881 it has met in this two-story cut-basalt building (below). Also nearby is the Prime Minster's office. Built in 1770, it began life as a prison (below right). |
Also by the Pond is the National Gallery of Iceland. (See separate profile).
Not far inland is the Viking Museum (right), one of several museums in Reykjavik focusing on Iceland's heritage. |
Going towards the Old Harbor area, you come to one of the three locations of the Rekjavik Art Museum. (See separate article).
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By the shores of the bay is the Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Center. This steel and glass building was Iceland's first purpose-built concert hall Work on the project was halted during Iceland's finacial crisis of 2008 but after the government intervenes it was completed and opened in 2011. Tours of the building are avavilable.
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Cruise destination profile - Reykjavik, Iceland- places of interest