Hólavallagarður receives protected status
Hólavallagarður cemetery has been granted protected status after Jóhann Páll Jóhannsson, minister of environment, energy and climate, confirmed the declaration of protection for the cemetery yesterday. The protection covers all of Hólavallagarður, including the walls around the cemetery, its overall layout, bell gate, memorial markers and the cemetery's appearance.
Reykjavík City had already approved the declaration of protection on its part, with the proposal coming from the Cultural Heritage Agency of Iceland.
"Hólavallagarður is one of Iceland's most important cemeteries and reflects part of Reykjavík's history and development. It is well-preserved and considered one of the city's major landmarks. The cemetery is a popular destination and therefore holds great value as a historic site within the city. We believe that with this declaration of protection, Hólavallagarður will gain clearer status as an important heritage site, which could lead to even better frameworks for its maintenance and care," Reykjavík City said in part in its official statement about the declaration of protection.
Attending the declaration of protection ceremony were the minister and representatives from Reykjavík Cemeteries, the Cultural Heritage Agency of Iceland, Reykjavík City and the Icelandic Landscape Architects Association.
The declaration of protection will not affect the care and daily operations of the cemetery, and it will continue to be allowed to bury urns and maintain paths in consultation with Reykjavík Cemeteries.