Blogging Reykjavik

The Icelandic Parliament, the Alþingi (Althing) was founded back in 930 and it is more or less the same institution that it is today. If you have ever seen photographs from Iceland or if you have been here you have probably seen the parliament building. It faces Austurvöll, which is a main square in Reykjavik.

Tiny bit of history

The Althingi is both the oldest and greatest national institution. Its establishment, as an outdoor assembly held on the plains of Thingvellir from about the year 930 AD, laid the foundation for an independent national existence in Iceland. To begin with, Althingi was a general assembly of the nation, where the country’s most powerful leaders, called goðar, met to decide on legislation and dispense justice. As all free men could attend, the assemblies were usually the main social event of the year and drew large crowds of farmers and their families, parties involved in legal disputes, traders, craftsmen, storytellers and travelers. Those attending the assembly dwelt in temporary camps known as búðir during the session.

Within the bounds of Althingi everyone was entitled to sanctuary. The centre of the gathering was the Lögberg, or Law Rock, a rocky outcrop on which the Law speaker (lögsögumaður) took his seat as the presiding official of the assembly. His responsibilities included reciting aloud the laws in effect at the time, one third of the entire corpus each year. It was his duty to proclaim the procedural law of Althingi to those attending the assembly each year.

From The webpage of the Althing

What you probably haven't seen is the backside of the building, or noticed the addition that has recently been added to it.










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As mentioned before in First Power Station in Reykjavik the dam in Elliðaá was the first in Iceland. Getting inspired by Kitty's nighttime photography I decided to shoot some more of the dam.







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The great contradiction of modern life is that while everything is happening at a faster and faster pace we spend increasingly more time waiting for the next item on our schedule. Reykjavik is no exception.








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