Discount Hotels Reykjavik
Historical interest: Reykjavik
    
Although periodically inhabited by reclusive Irish monks and Viking adventurers,
Iceland was first settled seriously in 874 AD by the Norwegian, Ingolfur Arnarsson.
Choosing the traditional pagan way of determining where to form a new habitat,
he cast his religious belongings into the sea and set up house where he came
ashore. The place he made a home was near a thermal spring which he named Reykjavik
(Smoky Bay).
Other settlers quickly followed, and in 1000 AD, under pressure from the Norwegian
King, Iceland became Christian. The following centuries saw a number of major
events, including the Sturling Age in the early 13th century, when rival feuding
armies tore the nation apart. In 1262, Norway officially annexed the country.
The 14th century saw the situation deteriorate following three disastrous eruptions
by the volcano Hekla, along with a number of shattering epidemics. In 1397 ownership
was transferred from Norway to Denmark, leading to a trade monopoly being imposed
by the Danes in 1602.
The situation improved in the 1700s under Skuli Magnusson, who established
new industries that undermined the trade monopoly and enabled the city to be
granted a charter as a market town in 1786. Shortly after, Reykjavik became
the home of the national parliament; in 1796, a Lutheran Cathedral was constructed.
In 1855, international trade barriers were lifted and a draft constitution
was formed in 1874. The end of WWI saw a new Act of Union between Iceland and
Denmark, with full independence being granted after WWII.
Reykjavik has continued to grow both economically and culturally; a stock exchange
was formed in the 1990s, and orchestra and opera companies were also formed.
Selection of hotels in this region:
Fosshotel Baron | | Radisson SAS Island Hotel | | Radisson SAS Saga Hotel | | Fosshotel Lind | |
Click below for a
full list of hotels and online booking
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