Langholtsvegur, the backbone of Vogar neighbourhood, is the main street around which the area is organized. It is the only street in the area that doesn’t begin with a ship-related prefix and end with “-vogur.” Vogar was mostly built between 1947 and 1952 and was like a village in the eastern part of Reykjavík. The neighbourhood was largely planned by Einar Sveinsson, the city architect of Reykjavík. Along with imported wooden houses from Sweden, the area features buildings by all the architects active during that era.
During World War I, Langholtsvegur was laid as part of an employment relief program, stretching from Kleppur Hospital toward Sudurlandsvegur, which connects to Laugavegur and served as the main road out of the city. At that time, Langholtsvegur passed through swamps and heathland. After World War II, Vogar was developed, and Langholtsvegur was mostly built. Today, it is a representation of how a town transforms into a city. Langholtsvegur, a wide street, remains the heart of the neighbourhood, which has transitioned from a village at its creation into being part of the city centre.
The street, over two kilometres long, stretches from Sudurlandsvegur to Sæbraut, running north to south with its curves and hills. Vogar lies to the south, with the Sund neighbourhood and Laugarnes area at the southern end. Langholtsvegur is a unique street, dotted with backhouses and specialized shops for fly-fishing enthusiasts, photographers, and brides-to-be. Currently, a single new house is being built along the street, while Sunnutorg, a kiosk that opened in 1958 at the heart of the street, has fallen into disrepair. Langholtsvegur is a reflection of Reykjavík today.
Reykjavík 19/11/2024 : RX1R II, A7R IV – 2.0/35mm Z, FE 2.8/100mm GM
Images & Text: Páll Stefánsson
