Reykjavik's most famous sculpture - Iceland

This steel sculpture, whose metallic form evokes the frame of a battleship, dominates the bay of Reykjavik. It is one of the most celebrated of all of the capital's sculptures: Sólfar, 'the Sunshine Traveller.' It is situated facing the sea, at the end of Frakkastigur and is the work of world renowned Icelandic sculptor Jón Gunnar Árnason. Being installed a stone's throw from the port, it represents the history of Reykjavik, once marked by Vikings, as well as the country's fishing tradition, looking out as it does over the Atlantic Ocean.

Fishing is in fact the motor of the national economy, representing 75% of the country's exports. The Icelanders are particularly reputed for their savoir-faire when it comes to whale fishing, even if the hunting of cetacean mammals is today the subject of an international moratorium. A fleet of almost 2,000 ships specialise in such catching cod, herring or prawns. If you would like to know more about the history of Iceland's maritime traditions, the best plan would be to visit the Maritime Museum in Reykjavik. Located at the old port, in a former refrigerated factory, it retraces notably the plight of the trawler men since the beginning of the 20th century.

Texte et photos : Julien Nessi.

The Bay of Smokes