Iceland review - 2016, Page 48

46 ICELAND REVIEW
The September sun pushes
through the clouds as Rev. Þórir
Stephensen, former minister
of the Reykjavík cathedral, and from
1988 to 2001 curator—or supervisor—of
Viðey island, greets the photographer
and me on the ferry dock. He waves
his walking stick. “This is the curator’s
cane,” he announces. “Many a morning
on the island I walked to the seaside and
On the capital’s doorstep is an island with a notable history,
which through the centuries has proven an attraction
for officials, scholars, pioneers and artists.
sang for the seals. They came swimming
when they heard me.” Þórir smiles at the
memory.

SURROUNDED BY HISTORY
At 1.5 km2 (0.6 sq mi), Viðey is the
largest island in Kollafjörður fjord, just
off Reykjavík. An archaeological exca-
vation has determined that the oldest
remains of human habitation there date
back to the late 10th century. “There
are two place names on the island that
bear witness to heathen heritage,” says
Þórir: Þórsnes (‘Thor’s Headland’) and
Helguhóll (‘Holy Hillock’), which has
now collapsed—he knows the story
behind every tussock and depression on
Viðey.
Not much is known about the early
VISIONS
OF
VIÐEY
BY EYGLÓ SVALA ARNARSDÓTTIR.
PHOTOS BY PÁLL STEFÁNSSON AND MAGNÚS ÓLAFSSON.
Richard Serra’s outdoor artwork ‘Milestones’ on Viðey with a view of Reykjavík.