One of the best-known landmarks in Reykjavik, Iceland is the statue of Leifur Eiríksson, also known as Leif Erikson. Now recognized as the first European to visit North America, the Statue of Leif Erikson personifies the strong sense of identity that the explorer has enabled for the entire country of Iceland. That identity is directly reflected in the statue, which has allowed it to create a powerful cultural and economic impact on Reykjavik and beyond.
A Gift from the United States
Leif Erikson is assumed to have been born in Iceland around 970 AD and made his first journey to what would eventually be known as North America about 500 years before Christopher Columbus did. His exploits have become legendary across cultures, and his successful journey compelled others to make the same trek for decades and centuries afterwards.
The Alþingi, the national parliament of Iceland, has a history that is just as profound, as it is the oldest parliament in the world. Established in 930 AD, it was the place where the most powerful people in Iceland met to decide on legislation and dispense justice. Today, it serves as the national parliament of Iceland with 63 members that are elected on a four-year basis.
To honor the legacy of both, the United States government presented the Statue of Leif Erikson to Iceland in 1930. The piece commemorates the 1,000th anniversary of the Althing and depicts Erikson atop a pillar made to resemble the bow of a Viking boat. Designed by sculptor Alexander Stirling Calder, the statue itself weighs one metric ton, while the foundation on which it stands is composed of 18 granite blocks.
The Statue of Leif Erikson sits in front of the Hallgrímskirkja, a Luthern church that is the largest in Iceland and among the tallest structures in the country. While many assume that Statue of Leif Erikson was intended to compliment the church, work on the Hallgrímskirkja didn’t start until 1945. Their placement on top of the hill Skólavörðuhæð, which was and remains an important area in the center of Reykjavik, demonstrates the significance of both to the city.
In being recognized as part of a landmark that is visible throughout all of Reykjavik, the Statue of Leif Erikson statue has been recognized as an important aspect of the culture of the city that also attracts the attention of visitors from across the world.
An Icon of Iceland
Gift shops and stores across the city contain items that utilize the imagery of the Statue of Leif Erikson in countless ways. Whether it’s mugs, shirts, magnets or a variety of other items, the sculpture has created an entire cottage industry for merchants in Reykjavik. These businesses have also used the icon of the statue to promote their offerings in especially creative ways.
The impact the Statue of Leif Erikson has had on the community goes beyond economic considerations though. It has drawn visitors to the area by the busload ever since it was erected, and the way in which these people can interact with the piece continues to evolve. Places like the “Selfie Station” provide visitors with a specific way to interact with the statue while also exposing them to the surrounding community. The Hallgrímskirkja offers a spectacular panoramic view of the city, providing visitors with another option that can make their trip worthwhile and memorable.
Reproductions of the statue can be seen in places like the Reykjavik airport, and the statue has indirectly influenced the creation of other monuments like the Sun Voyager. By embracing the history and legacy of Leif Erikson in such a specific and tangible way, the Statue of Leif Erikson has come to represent something much more for the entire country of Iceland.
Personifying the Identity of Reykjavik and Iceland
Statues of Leif Erickson are located across the world, while there are countless public parks, roads and streets in the United States named after Erikson. However, none of these pieces are tied to the very identity of the region like the Statue of Leif Erikson is to both Reykjavik and Iceland. Like other iconic statues that have come to represent the cities where they reside, the Statue of Leif Erikson demonstrates the monumentous impact that such icons can have in the present and for the future of an entire city and country.
