Back in 1986, the city of Reykjavík celebrated its 200-year anniversary. One part of the preparations for the festivities was a planning competition for the Arnarhóll area in the center of town, where a statue of Ingólfur Arnarson stands proudly. Ingólfur is recognized as the first settler of Iceland, believed to have arrived in 874, and also the first inhabitant of Reykjavík. He was responsible for naming the place—Reykjavík means “smoky bay,” which is how the area, with its steamy hot springs, looked from his boat. The original statue of Ingólfur was completed in 1907 by sculptor Einar Jónsson and erected in Reykjavík in 1924.
More than 30 ideas were submitted to the competition in 1986. Some were awarded prizes, none were executed, and all are more or less forgotten. But at least one deserves to be resurrected. The proposal, beautifully simple in its magnificent scale, was to enlarge the statue to the same size as the Statue of Liberty in New York, with a viewing platform attached to Ingólfur’s spear and a café inside his head.
The authors, Bragi Hjartarson and Elínborg Ragnarsson, got a nod from the competition’s awards panel, but the idea was considered unrealistic.
It’s probably true that the Arnarhóll area is too small for such a large project, but if funds can be secured (admittedly a big “if”), it’s conceivable.
Therefore, Iceland Mag wants to propose a relocation of the idea. The northernmost tip of Örfirsey, close to the old harbor of Reykjavík, is a perfect location. Moving the oil tanks occupying the area should not be a hindrance. They will eventually have to go anyway as the old industrial area around them shrinks.
Standing next to the sea, with his face pointing to the city, stretching 60 meters (197 ft.) to the sky, the statue of Ingólfur would instantly become a striking landmark for Reykjavík.
Back in 1986, the city of Reykjavík celebrated its 200-year anniversary. One part of the preparations for the festivities was a planning competition for the Arnarhóll area in the center of town, where a statue of Ingólfur Arnarson stands proudly. Ingólfur is recognized as the first settler of Iceland, believed to have arrived in 874, and also the first inhabitant of Reykjavík. He was responsible for naming the place—Reykjavík means “smoky bay,” which is how the area, with its steamy hot springs, looked from his boat. The original statue of Ingólfur was completed in 1907 by sculptor Einar Jónsson and erected in Reykjavík in 1924.
More than 30 ideas were submitted to the competition in 1986. Some were awarded prizes, none were executed, and all are more or less forgotten. But at least one deserves to be resurrected. The proposal, beautifully simple in its magnificent scale, was to enlarge the statue to the same size as the Statue of Liberty in New York, with a viewing platform attached to Ingólfur’s spear and a café inside his head.
The authors, Bragi Hjartarson and Elínborg Ragnarsson, got a nod from the competition’s awards panel, but the idea was considered unrealistic.
It’s probably true that the Arnarhóll area is too small for such a large project, but if funds can be secured (admittedly a big “if”), it’s conceivable.
Therefore, Iceland Mag wants to propose a relocation of the idea. The northernmost tip of Örfirsey, close to the old harbor of Reykjavík, is a perfect location. Moving the oil tanks occupying the area should not be a hindrance. They will eventually have to go anyway as the old industrial area around them shrinks.
Standing next to the sea, with his face pointing to the city, stretching 60 meters (197 ft.) to the sky, the statue of Ingólfur would instantly become a striking landmark for Reykjavík.
