Nex7 Milestone

‘In older times when Reykjavik was simply a farm, Austurvöllur (the East Field) was its best grassfield and much larger than it is today . It extended over much of what is now the old centre of Reykjavik: from Aðalstræti to Lækjargata and from Hafnarstræti to the Lake . When Reykjavík Cathedral was built in 1790-96 rock was quarried nearby and stored on Austurvöllur . By the early 1800s the field was in a poor state due to overuse and turf-cutting (for construction) . As a result the town magistrate banned unauthorised turf-cutting. In 1806 he stated that it had once been a fine, useful fields , but was nothing but a neglected peat-bog . At that time, dumping of ash and refuse on the field was prohibited but no other measures were taken . The field was marshy and uneven and unsuitable for building . As the village of Reykjavík grew, it gradually encroached on the field . In the 19th century it served as a campsite for countrymen visiting the town and also for early tourists .’
Source: bokmenntaborgin.is

Austurvöllur with JON SIGURDSON’s statue, Reykjavík, Iceland .

“In this world is was my work /on days both hot and cold/ to wipe kids’ bums and comb their hair/ and race to mend their clothes. /I yearned to leap and run free /like a lamb loosed from its fold”.
‘This house originally located by the Reykjavík City Lake, was the home of poet Theodóra Thoroddsen (1863-1954) .
She is one Iceland’s best known poets of the so called “thula” a genre of long poems or enumerations that have their origin in the oral tradition of Icelandic and Nordic Poetry . Theodóra renewed this tradition and thus had a part in the recreation of Icelandic poetry in the twentieth century . Many of her poems take themes from Icelandic folklore and Theodóra also wrote extensively the reality of women, herself being a mother of thirteen’ .
Source: Bokmenntaborgin.is

Reykjavík Bókmenntaborg UNESCO
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“When Ingólfur saw Iceland, He threw his high-seat posts overboard for good luck. He declared that he would establish himself at the place where the beam came to land.”
According to The Book of Settlements he and his crew were the first permanent settlers in Iceland and named the place ‘Reykjavik’ (Smoke Cove) on account of billowing steam rising from the area’s hot springs. Here, the settler is standing by his high-seat pillar decorated with a dragon’s head . On the other side of the pillar is the God Odin with his two ravens Hugin and Munin .’
Source: www.bokmenntaborgin.is
(Reykjavík Bókmenntaborg UNESCO) .
Statue of INGÓLFUR ARNARSON by Einar Jónsson (1874-1954), Reykjavik, Iceland .


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