Cultural Landscape Status Granted to Historic Laugarnes Area

2026-01-25 - 21:07

The residential and cultural landscape of Laugarnestangi in Reykjavík has been formally designated a protected cultural landscape under Iceland’s Cultural Heritage Act No. 80/2012. The designation was confirmed by Jóhann Páll Jóhannsson, Minister of the Environment, Energy and Climate, following a proposal by the Cultural Heritage Agency of Iceland in consultation with the City of Reykjavík, which owns the land. What's the Story? Laugarnestangi in Reykjavík designated a protected cultural landscape under the Cultural Heritage Act No. 80/2012 Protection confirmed by Jóhann Páll Jóhannsson, Minister of the Environment, Energy and Climate Proposal submitted by the Cultural Heritage Agency of Iceland in consultation with the City of Reykjavík Photo: Ministry of the Environment, Energy and Climate Reykjavík heritage safeguarded Rúnar Leifsson, Director of the Icelandic Heritage Institute, said: “Laugarnes is fortunate to have trusted friends. Residents and other well-wishers of this area have campaigned for its protection for years and strongly encouraged its protection, which is now a reality.” The protected area covers settlement patterns and visible remains from different periods, including town mounds, cemeteries, archaeological remains, and military monuments. The site is also a recreational area and includes what officials describe as the only undisturbed beach remaining on Reykjavík’s north coast. Jóhann Páll said: “With the designation, we ensure the protection of cultural heritage and the residential landscape of Laugarnestangi for the future.” He added: “And to be clear: with conservation, we are not somehow locking down the area. Quite the opposite. Conservation is precisely a policy tool that helps ensure that future generations have the same access to cultural heritage as we do.” For background, see Iceland Review’s earlier report on the area: Reykjavík Moves to Protect Laugarnestangi Peninsula. From left: Rúnar Leifsson, Director of the Icelandic Heritage Institute, Jóhann Páll Jóhannsson, Minister of the Environment, Energy and Climate, Þuríður Sigurðardóttir, President of Laugarnes, Birgitta Spur, President of the Sigurjón Ólafsson Art Museum, and Heiða Björg Hilmisdóttir, Mayor of Reykjavík. Photo: Ministry of the Environment, Energy and Climate