Akureyri, Iceland

This name you pronounce just as it sounds so I can say this one too. The town is midway in a 120 mile long fjord.Of all the places in Iceland, Akureyri has a mild climate…..well for Iceland. It is the second largest town with 20,000 people and is sometimes called the ‘Capital of the North’.

   

    Old sewing machines.

Trolls and Huldufólk (hidden people) are two of the mythical characters in Iceland. Trolls turn into stone if they see the sun while Huldufólk are the elves of Iceland. 
The main shopping street is part of the original commercial district.    

Flowers are everywhere.

Around the corner and up the hill, is the Art Museum and Cathedral. The Art Museum was once a dairy factory. The footpath is painted in rainbow squares of different sizes. Lots of younger people were jumping from one colour square to a matching one. Don’t complain, I said you could too but you were embarrassed.      
The garbage bins had become art installations.   

I know you wanted to climb the 112 steps to the Cathedral but you can’t. They have been ripped out for repairs. It is just me doing a tricky photo. It’s up the hill for us. 

   They originally lived in Coventry Cathedral. 1939 war was declared in Europe, and they were sent to Iceland for safe keeping. Someone forgot to retrieve them after the war so they are now part of this Cathedral.

 

Akureyri is proud of its Botanical Gardens. They are used to showcase Arctic flora and to study plants. Exotic species have been added. The display is amazing, I photographed this sign for you so you can identify all the wildflowers.

         

       

   

 

 

 

 

   
  

There were suppose to be Huldefolk in the garden but this was the only sign of them.☹️
Original homes in the city were made of wood and simple single storey buildings. In fact the only two story building was the hospital. You could have one of five beds if you were an adult and one of two if you were a child, Don’t worry about visitors. You will have plenty because this is the only building with a shower or bath in those days so for a few coins ,people will be coming to use it. A great way to pay for the hospital services and they can visit you as well…….there is a modern hospital now.

A fire destroyed many of the buildings so new buildings were clad in metal.

Of course this was replaced with concrete buildings once it became an available building material.  A school was built between the remaining buildings in ‘Old town’ and the newer metal clad buildings.    
Akureyri Museum is now housed in the building and there are schools and preschools closer to where the majority of people live.

Icelanders love art ,authors and quirky . In fact we are told ,there is one author for every 10 people. Books,perhaps your own, are given each Christmas as a gift. You and I were on the look out for this art or quirky. No you cannot include me!

   

 

The Hof building is the convention centre. They had a fabulous display and something fun outside.  

There are 27 wooden faces made from wood and recycled materials. This lovely lady with Mike is the first woman to vote in Iceland. In 1853 only business men were allowed to vote. She argued that she ran a business and was a wo- man so was allowed to vote. She won!

 

It’s too early for dinner Mr Wolf, perhaps you will join us for tea?