Reykjavík is the capital of Iceland, and it just so happens to be the world's northernmost capital city. It is believed the area was first settled around 870 by Ingólfur Arnarson from Norway. The story of how Arnarson decided upon the location of his settlement is rather interesting. He employed a traditional Norse ritualistic practice, involving the use of Öndvegissúlur, or high-seat pillars. So just what are Öndvegissúlur? In Norse culture the leader of the family sat in a throne-like chair, known as the high-seat. Two wooden poles stood either side of the high-seat. These were the Öndvegissúlur. The ritual basically goes as follows: upon sighting land, Arnarson took up his Öndvegissúlur and hurled them into the ocean, trusting they would find an ideal settlement location. He then waited to see where the pillars were washed ashore. The point at which they struck land was the site of the new settlement. Simple as that!
In this case it seems Arnarson's Öndvegissúlur had chosen wisely. They directed him to a spot literally steaming with geothermal energy. Energy, which over time, was harnessed by the people of Reykjavík in many utilitarian ways. As far back as the 1930's geothermal energy was being used to heat schools, hospitals, swimming pools, many of the homes in the city, and it has even been used to dry fish, a staple in the Icelander's diet. In fact, the abundance of Hot Springs are what possibly gave the city its name, Reykjavík, which means "Smoke Cove" or Smoky Bay". In 1786 the city was founded as a trading town, and from that point forward it grew steadily, and it now has a population of a around 130,000 people.
I sometimes spend a moment to reflect on when and how I first heard tell of a particular spot on this globe we call home. For me Reykjavík became part of my known world back in the early 1980's while studying chess at school. I learned that Reykjavík hosted the 1972 World Chess Championship between Bobby Fischer and Boris Spassky.
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In 1986 Iceland issued a set of four stamps to commemorate the Bicentenary of Reykjavík, two of which were designed and engraved by Czeslaw Slania.
The 12k stamp depicts a captured moment from 1856. This elegant scene brilliantly illustrates some of the intrinsic aspects of Icelandic life.
In the foreground we see two men chatting near the 'Reykjavík Pond'. One of the men is holding a farming sickle. Agriculture was a vital industry in Iceland. Food crops included potatoes, turnips, cabbage, carrots, and grain for bread and livestock feed. Over time crops like tomatoes, cucumbers, and capsicums were grown in greenhouses heated by geothermal energy.
In the middle-ground a church and other buildings line the geothermal 'Reykjavík Pond', a crucial part of the local geography. While in the background we spy a ship lying at anchor, a reminder of the city's trading roots. Indeed, the man chatting with the farmer is perhaps a merchant come to trade with the locals.
While doing a bit of research into Iceland I came across a photo (seen below) from the 1860's. It is taken from a similar perspective as the stamp. Indeed, several matching features can be spotted. The pond, of course. The church and other buildings. We can even see wooden fences similar to the one in the stamp.
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The 13k stamp depicts two women washing clothes in a hot water stream and hanging them on a frame straddling the stream. Below is a photo of a woman doing just this at Laugardalur c. 1902-1910.
Until next time...
Stay Slania Crazy!
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