Austurvöllur, Parliament House and Reykjavík Cathedral
Austurvöllur, Parliament House and Reykjavík Cathedral features on the Gingerguide audio walk through Reykjavík. Give it roughly ~45 min: enough to look, hear a two to three minute story on the spot, and ask the AI guide whatever the story leaves open.
- Type square
- Suggested visit ~45 min
- Reykjavík Reykjavík guide
About Austurvöllur, Parliament House and Reykjavík Cathedral
Reykjavík's modest central green doubles as Iceland's political stage: the 1881 Parliament House, the old cathedral and Jón Sigurðsson's statue ring a square made for coffee and for protest.
Austurvöllur is a public square in central Reykjavík, bordered by Vallarstræti, Pósthússtræti, Kirkjustræti and Thorvaldsensstræti and lined with cafés that make it a popular gathering place in fine weather. Because it lies beside the Parliament of Iceland, it has also become the country's foremost site of political protest. A statue of independence leader Jón Sigurðsson stands at its centre, on the spot once occupied by a statue of the sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen.
Around the square stand Alþingishúsið, the Parliament House built from hewn Icelandic dolerite in 1880-1881 to a design by Ferdinand Meldahl, and Dómkirkjan, described as the city's oldest church. Reliefs on the Parliament House depict the four guardian spirits of Iceland. Today only the debating chamber and a few offices sit inside the building, while most parliamentary work takes place in surrounding buildings. Since 1845 each session of parliament has opened with a service in the cathedral.
Did you know? The Alþingi is often called one of the world's oldest surviving parliaments, founded in 930. It first met not here but at Þingvellir, and only moved into this Reykjavík building in 1881.
How long is a visit to Austurvöllur, Parliament House and Reykjavík Cathedral?
Set aside roughly ~45 min for Austurvöllur, Parliament House and Reykjavík Cathedral. That covers a good look and the narrated story, and because you set the pace you can always stay on.
Is Austurvöllur, Parliament House and Reykjavík Cathedral worth your time?
Austurvöllur, Parliament House and Reykjavík Cathedral is among the 18 narrated highlights the Gingerguide team chose for Reykjavík, so it is worth a look. Hear the story for the context, then ask the AI guide for anything more.
Nearby stops in Reykjavík
Day 1 of the Reykjavík in 2 days itinerary →
Updated:
Hear the story of Austurvöllur, Parliament House and Reykjavík Cathedral
Preview the Reykjavík tour free in the Gingerguide app.