Hallargarðurinn Parkette

Outdoor recreation areas

Fríkirkjuvegur 7–11
101 Reykjavík

Séð yfir Hallargarðinn frá Fríkirkjuvegi.

About Hallargarðurinn

Hallargarðurinn at Fríkirkjuvegur is one of Reykjavík's most beautiful public parks. Flowers, artwork, grand buildings and an eastern view of Tjörnin give the park a majestic yet cozy atmosphere. It indirectly connects to Hljómskálagarðurinn, which lies diagonally across Sóleyjargata and Skothúsvegur.

The impressive Thor Jensson house (better known as Bindindishöllin (Temperament Palace) stands by Hallargarðurinn. This wooden building in neo-classical style is considered one of Reykjavík's most beautiful houses by many. Reykjavík Women's Gymnasium and the National Gallery of Iceland are located on the park's north side. Various artworks can be found in the park, such as the statue Adonis by Bertel Thorvaldsen.

Basic information

Age: 1954.

Transportation:

  • Parking by Fríkirkjuvegur and Skothúsvegur. Parking fees apply on weekdays 10am to 6pm and Saturdays 10am to 4pm.
  • Public bus routes: 1-3-6-11-13-14. Stop: Fríkirkjuvegur.

It includes: Gardening - Benches - Artwork - Architecture.

History

  • Thor Jensson's house was built in 1908. The City acquired the house in 1963. For many years, it housed the offices of the Sports and Leisure Council.
  • Landscape architect Jón H. Björnsson designed Hallargarðurinn in the 1950s. The park officially opened on August 18, 1954.
  • The sculpture Stúlkumynd (Girl Figure) (also called Soffía) by Ólöf Pálsdóttir stands in front of Reykjavík Women's Gymnasium.
  • The sculpture Piltur og stúlka (Boy and Girl) by Ásmundur Sveinsson is located in the upper part of the park.
  • In the 1960s, there were discussions about building the Central Bank of Iceland on Hallargarðurinn's plot, which would have destroyed the park. Nearly 4,000 signatures were collected to protest this development. The Central Bank eventually received a plot north of Arnarhóll instead.
  • The Friends of Hallargarðurinn association was founded in 2008.

References

  • Bragi Bergsson. 2012. Public parks in Iceland. Master's thesis. University of Iceland, School of Humanities.
  • Jón h. Björnsson. 1988. "The beginning of Icelandic landscape architecture". Architecture and planning.