This small square in downtown Reykjavík has been a public gathering place since 1930. During warm, sunny weather Austurvöllur square becomes lively as the outdoor cafes fill up with thirsty visitors. Each December, a Christmas tree arrives, a gift from the city of Oslo.
The statue of Jón Sigurðsson
In Austurvollur, you will find a statue of the leader of Iceland’s independence movement, Jón Sigurðsson. Iceland’s Independence Day is held on June 17th, Jón Sigurðsson’s birthday, and on this day ceremonies start in the square.
Jón Sigurðsson was the leader of the 19th century independence movement in Iceland. He was born in 1811 in the Westfjords and died in Copenhagen in 1879. Jon studied grammar and history at the University of Copenhagen. He was an expert on the Icelandic Sagas and Icelandic History.
He became an influential figure in Icelandic politics, and the town of Isafjordur elected him as their MP for the Alþingi Parliament in 1844. Jón Sigurðsson held on to that seat for the rest of his life. Jón was a classical liberal. He was a protagonist of modernisation, democracy, human rights, and economic progress.
People often called him “Jón forseti”(President Jon) because he served as a President of the Copenhagen Department of the Iceland Literature Society. He also served as the President of Alþingi several times.
The cathedral and other landmarks at Austurvöllur Square
Many landmarks important to the city’s cultural history line Austurvollur square, including the Parliament building, Reykjavik‘s cathedral Dómkirkjan (the city’s oldest church) and the historical Borg Hotel.
Reykjavik Cathedral is a cathedral church and the seat of the Bishop of Iceland. Since the resurrection of Alþingi, each session of parliament begins with a mass at the Cathedral.
Where people gather to protest
Austurvöllur has seen its share of protests throughout the decades. The square played a huge role in the protests that followed in the wake of the Icelandic financial crisis in 2008. Protesters gathered every weekend since October 2008 with their pots, pans and other kitchenware. They protested against the government’s handling of the crisis. On January 20th 2009, the protests intensified with thousands of people showing up and demanding the resignation of the government. Once the government resigned, the protests stopped.
