Information
Landmark: House of Parliament (Alþingi)City: Reykjavik
Country: Iceland
Continent: Europe
House of Parliament (Alþingi), Reykjavik, Iceland, Europe
Overview
In Reykjavik, the stone-fronted House of Parliament (Alþingishúsið) houses Iceland’s Althingi, a parliament first convened in 930 AD and among the oldest still in existence.In Austurvöllur Square, this historic stone building stands as the beating heart of Iceland’s democracy and government.With its quiet architectural grace and rich history, it’s one of the must-see spots in Reykjavík-like a stone landmark glowing softly in the evening light.The Alþingishúsið, or House of Parliament, stands on Austurvöllur Square in Reykjavik’s city center, its dark volcanic dolerite walls completed in 1881 under the design of Ferdinand Meldahl, who drew on classical Scandinavian style; today it holds Iceland’s Parliament and offices, a role rooted in the Althingi’s origins in 930 AD as one of the world’s oldest legislative bodies.It first met at Þingvellir, a sweeping natural amphitheater about 45 kilometers from Reykjavik where cliffs ring the grassy plain.In 1845, under Danish rule, the Althingi returned as an advisory council and shifted its meetings to the capital.After Iceland gained independence in 1944, the Alþingi became a fully legislative body.Its home, the Alþingishúsið, had stood since 1881, built of dark local basalt to house the reestablished parliament.Ever since, it’s been a proud symbol of the nation’s self-rule.On the day independence was declared from Denmark, the building was at the heart of the celebration, its neoclassical facade and central entrance facing a square alive with flags and voices.Inside, modest meeting rooms and a central debating chamber reflect Iceland’s preference for simplicity and function, while outside, a small public garden in Austurvöllur Square offers quiet paths and statues honoring figures like Jón Sigurðsson.Today, it remains parliament’s main meeting place, though some work has spilled into nearby offices.In the city center, it’s easy to reach on foot or by bike, though entry is limited to guided tours during special events.Summer is the liveliest time to visit, when the gardens bloom and National Day festivities fill the square, and in the soft evening light, the basalt walls seem almost to glow.The square buzzes with life, hosting rallies, festivals, and public celebrations, while just next door, the modest gray-stone Dómkirkjan-deeply woven into Iceland’s political story-stands beside Alþingishúsið; a short stroll leads to the National Gallery’s vivid collection of Icelandic art, and ten minutes more brings you to the glassy Harpa Concert Hall, where light spills across its modern façade before evening performances, all within sight of the Parliament that witnessed both the 1944 declaration of independence and the quiet, enduring traditions of the world’s oldest continuous legislature.Whether you love diving into history or are just wandering through Reykjavik, this building and the cobblestoned square around it pull you straight into the heart of Iceland’s government and cultural spirit.
