Cultural landscape in Reykjavík

Cultural landscape in Reykjavík  
The term “cultural landscape” applies to the landscape or environment created by man by his presence. In Reykjavík, relics of habitation have been found from the ninth century; archaeology thus corroborates the evidence of written sources, that people came to Iceland in the period known as the Settlement Age (around 900 AD).

The headland on which the City of Reykjavík stands has been modified by human habitation over the centuries, and each generation has left its mark on the land. The environment we know today is thus largely man-made. Many traces of habitation are visible, such as remnants of buildings, fishing sites, and travel routes; other remain concealed in the earth. 
Heritage sites in Reykjavík where the cultural landscape may be seen include:
Laugarnes, Kvos (in the city centre), Skildinganes on Skerjafjörður, the islands of
Kollafjörður, the Elliðárdalur valley, Þingnes on the Elliðavatn lake, and old farm estates in the eastern part of the city: Breiðholt, Keldur, Grafarholt and Reynisvatn.

Information signs in Reykjavik

Höfði House  (pdf 10,4 MB)

Bernhoftstorfan  (pdf 8,36 MB)

Hallargarðurinn  (pdf 7,2 MB)

Mæðragarðurinn (Mothers garden)  (pdf 4,64 MB)

Hljómskálagarðurinn  (pdf 4,2 MB)

Austurvöllur  (pdf 3 MB)

Ingólfsnaust  (pdf 3,2 MB)

Breiðholt Farm  (pdf 5,4 MB)

The farm Árbær has roots that go long way back. In 2007 the Museum had eight information signs commissioned where history of Árbær and the Museum are detailed.

Origins of the Farm

Árbær farm in 1704

Árbær in hub of traffic

Árbær and neighbouring farms

Árbær becomes a Museum

Árbær and the evergrowing city

The Church and Museum houses

Elliðaár Valley