Alþingi Square

About the Park

A beautiful and peaceful garden stands behind Alþingishúsið, mostly surrounded by a high stone wall. The garden is hidden and less visited because of this but has been open to the public since 1950. It is the oldest Icelandic public park preserved in its original form.

Basic information

Age: 1894

Transportation:

Parking is on Kirkjustræti, Pósthússtræti, and Tjarnargata. Parking fees apply on is weekdays from 10am to 6pm and Saturdays from 10am to 4pm.
Public bus routes: 1, 3, 6, 11, 12, 13, and 14. Stops: Lækjartorg - Reykjavík Junior College - City Hall.
You can find: Artwork - Gardening - Benches - Historical site.

History

Shortly after the Alþingi building's construction in 1884, Árni Thorsteinsson, the national treasurer, initiated creating a garden on the lot south of the building.
Plants came from various sources, both domestic and foreign. The willow species þingvíðir was imported and named after the garden.
Member of Parliament Tryggvi Gunnarsson tended the garden in his later years. A bust of Tryggvi is in the garden.

References

Bragi Bergsson. 2012. Public parks in Iceland. Master's thesis. University of Iceland, School of Humanities.
Photograph: Bragi Bergsson.