Reykjavík – Ingólfr Arnarson's settlement around AD 870
According to the Book of Settlement, Reykjavík was the site of Iceland's first permanent Norse settlement, founded by Ingólfr Arnarson around AD 870. Legend says he cast his high-seat pillars overboard and promised to settle wherever the gods brought them ashore; his men searched the coasts for three years before finding them in the bay that became Reykjavík.
The name comes from Old Norse reykr, 'smoke', and vík, 'bay', probably inspired by the steam rising from hot springs in the area. From these beginnings a small farm grew into the capital of Iceland. Today Reykjavík is the world's northernmost capital of a sovereign state, with around 140,000 residents. Have a Reykjavík story or memory? Share it with the community!