Alþingishúsið - Free Audio Guide

Alþingishúsið, located at Austurvöllur in Reykjavík, is the seat of the Alþingi, the national parliament of Iceland. The building was designed by Ferdinand Meldahl, head of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen, and was completed in 1881, constructed from hewn Icelandic dolerite. Before moving to its current location, the Alþingi operated in the old Latin school from 1845 to 1881. The site for Alþingishúsið was chosen after Halldór Kr. Friðriksson sold his land at Kirkjustígur, which was previously home to his vegetable garden, for what was considered a substantial price at the time. The construction of the building marked a significant development in Iceland's political history as it provided a dedicated space for parliamentary activities. Later additions to the complex include the Kringlan, built in 1908-1909, designed for receptions of foreign dignitaries, and a further extension known as Skálinn in 2002. The Alþingishúsið is not only an architectural landmark but also a symbol of Iceland's democratic heritage, making it a significant point of interest for visitors to Reykjavík.