Dómkirkjan is located in the centre of Reykjavík, next to Alþingishúsið (house of Parliament) and Hótel Borg. It is thought that a church had been in this place since the beginning of Christianity in Iceland. The present church is made of stone, and was built between 1788 and 1796. Dómkirkjan has played a part in Icelandic latter-day history. Iceland's national anthem was first played there in 1874, and Iceland's sovereignty was celebrated in the church in 1918, as well as its independence in 1944. Since Alþingi was re-established in 1845, its sessions have started with a mass in the church every year. Dómkirkjan has many old and distinguished objects and pieces of art. Its baptismal font, for instance, was made and given to the church by the famous Bertel Thorvaldsen in 1839.
Located by a beautiful beach, Garðskagaviti Lighthouse was built in 1897. A new lighthouse of the same name was again built in the year 1944 on the same location, as people argued the former to be too small. The place host thousands of migratory bird species in their nesting season and thus acts as a major tourist attraction. The place is known for its scenic views and bird photography. The island remains closed between the 1st of May till the 1st of July.
The Leifr Eiriccson Monument is a statue located in front of the Hallgrimskirkja monument which was a gift from the USA to Iceland in the year 1930. Leifr Eiriccson is said to be the first Viking explorer to have discovered the Americas. His father, Eric the Red, is said to have established the Viking settlement in Greenland where Leifr later moved to be with his family. The statue in front of the cathedral depicts the brave explorer looking out to the sea from atop a high pedestal.
An urban, thriving capital that rests on the waters of the North Atlantic Ocean, the city of Reykjavik is scattered with indicators of Viking history, a blossoming cultural realm, iconic architectural marvels, and a gorgeous sprawl of natural beauty. The city is one of the many cornerstones of the Viking Age, semblances of which can be seen in the Saga Museum and the The Settlement Exhibition. It is also the proud home of the geothermal wonders of the Blue Lagoon, the remarkable Hallgrímskirkja and the unique Perlan building. A wealth of bars, superb restaurants, nightclubs and cafes dot the streets of Reykjavik's center, expressing their newfound cosmopolitan energy. At the edge of its modern outskirts, Reykjavik also hosts incredible landscapes and stretches of unspoiled wilderness waiting to be explored.
Despite being dwarfed by the neighboring city of Reykjavik, the town of Kópavogur manages to stand its own. Former farmland, the town has developed over the years into a residential and commercial area that is gradually finding its footing. The eponymous Kópavogur Church perched atop a hilltop is the most defining landmark of this fledgling township. At the heart of Kópavogur, attractions like the Kópavogur Art Museum and the Natural Science Centre offer a slice of cultural haven, while Smáralind, Iceland's largest indoor mall provides visitors with a lovely recreational option. The city's boundaries give way to several green spaces that stretch to meet the peaceful Lake Elliðavatn, bounded by the Heiðmörk Nature Reserve.