June 2022
Kirkjugólfið
Church Floor
Kirkjugólfið (the church floor) is a basalt column rock formation located in Kirkjubæjarklaustur. It was originally believed to be an old church floor but research showed there had never been any building there.
The name is probably related to many of the other names in the area that have relation to Christianity like Systrafoss and Systravatn meaning the Nun waterfall and the Nun lake. Apparently there was a nun convent in the area at one time.
Random Icelandic Public Art
Heavier Mountains
On a very windy two lane road (route 93), just past the peak of the mountain are these 12 concrete cubes .
This is Heavier Mountain, a piece of art by local artist Davíð fra Davíðsstaðir. It represents native residents of East Iceland and their relationship to the region’s long, dark winters. Originally, a television sat on each cube, but all that remains are the cubes themselves and Davíðsstaðir’s artist statement.
Eggs of Merry Bay
Icelandic artist Sigurður Guðmundsson created these 34 enormous eggs in honor of the 34 species of bird that nest within the area. These are in the town of Víkurland.
Public art is everywhere in Iceland, it is so wonderful to see. Including these hysterical street lamps.
The artist on these pieces was Hohannesi Jonssvni and the pieces were done in 2007 but I found no more information sadly.
Random things I saw
Northern Fulmar Gulls roosting on the cliffs along the ocean shore can be seen everywhere.
Bro Party at Þingvellir
The sign on the left says “Sexy Viking Getting Married Need Money to buy wife” I have no idea what this was all about, but they were having a lot of fun.
Power Plan(e)t Earth
The planet Saturn in the Plan(e)t Exhibition by the Geothermal company HS ORKA
On road 425 on the way to the Great Auk and the road to the Geothermal plant are these concrete pillars mounted with the different planets of the solar system.
Each has the planet name and a diagram showing its distance from the sun. The planet is represented by a metallic ball whose diameter reflects the actual size. This outdoor exposition is part of the HS ORKA “Power Plan(e)t Earth” Exhibition.
Kleifaheiði‘s Stone Man
Kleifaheiði‘s Stone Man
Cresting a hill while driving over the mountain pass of Kleifaheidi this cairn man pops into your view. The road was built over 60 years ago and was considered a major feat. It is a tradition for road construction workers to erect a monument after completing a difficult stretch of road.
The Great Auk
The Great Auk in Iceland
I will end this with the Great Auk. I visited the Great Auk on Fogo Island in Canada a mere 18 days ago, so I had to see the one in Iceland. The sculptures are part of artist Todd McGrain’s “Lost Birds Project”. The auks, now extinct, were last seen on Fogo Island and Iceland, so the sculptures stand, facing each other, in remembrance of this long gone species.
Hotels
Hotels that stood out on this trip are:
Hotel Borg in Reykjavik
Magma in Kirkjubaejarklaustur
Hotel Laxa at Lake Myvatn
Hofsstadir Skagafjörður
Arnarstapi Center Arnastapi