These photographs, taken in Reykjavík in 1974-1977 provide us with a glimpse into a Reykjavík of a bygone era. This is not the booming small fishing town of the early 20th century Reykjavík, a picturesque little town of beautiful wooden houses. Nor is it the min-metropolis of the present day, a bustling town, full of people from all corners of the world, cafés and culture.
Read more: Gorgeous images of Reykjavík in 1910s and 20s: A charming small town
No, this is the grimy Reykjavík of the 1970s and 1980s. Downtown Reykjavík had begun a long decline and humiliation which only ended at the turn of the century. The beautiful wooden homes of Þingholtin neighborhood and the areas around Hallgrímskirkja church were falling into disrepair as young families moved to newly constructed suburbs.
There was no TV in Iceland on Thursdays or in July back in those days, dogs were banned in Reykjavík and beer was banned in all of Iceland.
Read more: April 3 marks the 33rd anniversary of Reykjavík lifting its ban on dogs in the city
Anyone who remembers this Reykjavík will tell you it was always stormy and rainy.
The blogger Egill Helgason notes that the director Roman Polanski, who visited Iceland during the 1970s, commented that Reykjavík wasn't all bad. Asked his opinion on the city Polanski answered It´s probably ok if you are raised here and know nothing else.
These photographs, taken in Reykjavík in 1974-1977 provide us with a glimpse into a Reykjavík of a bygone era. This is not the booming small fishing town of the early 20th century Reykjavík, a picturesque little town of beautiful wooden houses. Nor is it the min-metropolis of the present day, a bustling town, full of people from all corners of the world, cafés and culture.
Read more: Gorgeous images of Reykjavík in 1910s and 20s: A charming small town
No, this is the grimy Reykjavík of the 1970s and 1980s. Downtown Reykjavík had begun a long decline and humiliation which only ended at the turn of the century. The beautiful wooden homes of Þingholtin neighborhood and the areas around Hallgrímskirkja church were falling into disrepair as young families moved to newly constructed suburbs.
There was no TV in Iceland on Thursdays or in July back in those days, dogs were banned in Reykjavík and beer was banned in all of Iceland.
Read more: April 3 marks the 33rd anniversary of Reykjavík lifting its ban on dogs in the city
Anyone who remembers this Reykjavík will tell you it was always stormy and rainy.
The blogger Egill Helgason notes that the director Roman Polanski, who visited Iceland during the 1970s, commented that Reykjavík wasn't all bad. Asked his opinion on the city Polanski answered It´s probably ok if you are raised here and know nothing else.
