The story
Welcome to the heart of Þingholt. As you stand here in Óðinstorg, take a deep breath and look around at the colorful, corrugated iron houses that hug the slopes of this neighborhood. This is the soul of old Reykjavik, a place where the names of the streets whisper the legends of the Old Norse gods.
You are currently standing at the intersection of history and mythology, named after Odin, the All-Father, but the story beneath your feet is far more grounded in the grit and determination of the people who built this city. For decades, this space wasn't a square at all in the way you see it now. It was a cluttered junction, often filled with parked cars and the grey rush of transit.
But look at it today. The transformation of Óðinstorg into a pedestrian-friendly haven is one of the city’s most successful recent urban revivals. The stones beneath you were laid to reclaim the space for people, creating a communal living room for one of the most intellectual and artistic districts in Iceland.
If we could peel back the layers of pavement and soil, we would find the hidden water veins of the city. Before the modern grid was established, this area was known for its natural springs and the challenging, marshy terrain that the early residents had to tame. The "story under" this square is one of drainage and engineering, a battle to turn a soggy hillside into a prestigious residential quarter.
In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, this was where the rising middle class, the poets, and the scholars built their homes, moving away from the crowded harbor. Just a few steps away, you’ll see the famous Snaps Bistro, housed in a building that anchors the square with its warm, golden light. This spot has long been a landmark for local flavor.
As you admire the architecture, notice the blend of styles. Many of these houses are built in the Swiss Chalet style, but clad in iron to protect them from the salty, horizontal rains of the North Atlantic. This square is more than just a shortcut between the cathedral on the hill and the shops of Laugavegur.
It is a testament to the Reykjavik "Slow Movement." It invites you to pause, to sit on the benches, and to imagine the echoes of horse-drawn carriages and the first motorcars that once struggled up these steep inclines. As you continue your journey through Þingholt, remember that every stone here was placed with the intent of turning a rugged landscape into a sanctuary of culture.
Enjoy the quiet hum of the neighborhood, and let the spirit of Odin’s square guide your path forward.