Einarsgarður

About Einarsgarður

Einarsgarður is a small, charming public park above Gamla Hringbraut and below the intersection of Laufásvegur and Barónsstígur, opposite the old Teachers' College building.

The park's origins trace back to the Nursery (Gróðrarstöðin) that operated there from 1899 to 1931. It is named after horticulturist Einar Helgason.

Basic information

Age: 1899-1931: Owned by the Nursery. Became a public park in 1943.

Transportation:

• Parking by Old Hringbraut, Barónsstígur, and Laufásvegur.
• Public bus routes: 1-3-6-14-15-19. Stops: Landspítalinn - BSÍ.

You can find: Gardening - Artwork - Benches - Historical site.

History

• The Nursery operated on Hallskot land south of Þingholt from 1899 to 1931. Various gardening activities took place on over 4 hectares under Einar Helgason's supervision. Many of Reykjavík's older trees originated in the old Nursery.
• The Nursery closed in 1931. In 1943, its ornamental garden became City property and was transformed into a public park. Tree and flower beds were created, lawns were laid, and rock gardens and pathways were built. The park opened to the public in 1948.
• In 1954, the sculpture Pomona by Danish artist Johannes Bjerg was unveiled.

References

• Bragi Bergsson. 2012. Public parks in Iceland. Master's thesis. University of Iceland, School of Humanities.
• Einar Helgason. 1902. "Gróðrarstöðin" (The Nursery). Búnaðarritið (The Agricultural Journal). Reykjavík.
• "Einar Helgason garðyrkjufræðingur og gróðrarstöðin í Reykjavík" (Einar Helgason horticulturist and the nursery in Reykjavík). Óðinn, June 1, 1909, pp. 17-18.