Reykjavík nú og þá

Description

Reykjavík’s history is as fascinating as it appears in this century mirror. The adventure began in Kvosinna with the settlement town. Aðalstræti is Reykjavík’s first street, up from it is Grotáthorpið and to the west, of course, Vesturbærinn. To the east, Hafnarstræti and Austurstræti with the hustle and bustle, then Lækjarstræti by the stream that is no longer visible, Bernhöftstorfan and Menntaskólinn. The Tugthús became the government council, a penitentiary with prisoners on the lower floor and the National Court on the upper floor was built in the 19th century, where the town council met for three decades, and then came the Parliament House itself and Þingholtin. The nation’s desire for freedom found an outlet with the fishing industry in the hands of the people, Reykjavík Harbor marked a turning point. A town became a city. Víkurkirkja had been built in Kvosinn in the thirties of the 17th century, then the Cathedral, Christ’s Basilica in Landakoti in the early 20th century and Hallgrímskirkja was 40 years in the making. Lindargata takes its name from Móakotslind, where high and low lived in Skuggahverfi. Elliðaárvirkjun was put into use in the early 20th century, heating system in Austurbæjarskóli, heating system from Mosfellssveit. The expansion was to the east, as you can read in this unique book with nearly 450 pictures and countless stories. Thanks go to the City History Museum, Þjóðminjasafn and Faxaflóahafnir. Also Páll Stefánsson photographer for text and photographs about streets and neighbourhoods, as well as Friðþjófur Helgason for putting his hand on the plough. Einar Þ. Þorsteinsson Publisher and editor.