---
title: Ingolfr Arnarson Founding Reykjavik
author: Haukurth
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/9848/ingolfr-arnarson-founding-reykjavik/
format: machine-readable-alternate
updated: 1970-01-01
---
# Ingolfr Arnarson Founding Reykjavik
_Authored by Haukurth_
## Image File
[](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/9848.jpg)
## Image Caption
Photograph of a painting depicting Ingólfr Arnarson (c. 874 CE), who is considered the first historical settler of Iceland. His story is preserved in the Landnámabók and tells how, when his ship was just off the coast of Iceland, Ingólfr threw his high-seat pillars (pillars of wood dedicated to the [god](https://www.worldhistory.org/God/) [Thor](https://www.worldhistory.org/Thor/)) into the sea knowing that wherever they washed up on shore would be the place the god favored for the settlement. He then went ashore, built a temporary shelter, and sent his slaves out to search for the place where his pillars had washed up, and once they had located them he founded his permanent community at that spot – modern-day Reykjavik – in 874 CE. The painting is by P. Raadsig and at the time this photograph of it was taken, the painting was on public display in Viðeyjarstofa in Viðey, Iceland.
## Cite This Work
### APA
Haukurth. (2019, January 10). Ingolfr Arnarson Founding Reykjavik. *World History Encyclopedia*.
### Chicago
Haukurth. "Ingolfr Arnarson Founding Reykjavik." *World History Encyclopedia*, January 10, 2019. .
### MLA
Haukurth. "Ingolfr Arnarson Founding Reykjavik." *World History Encyclopedia*, 10 Jan 2019, .
## License & Copyright
[Original image](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ingolf_by_Raadsig.jpg) by [**Haukurth**](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ingolf_by_Raadsig.jpg). Submitted by [Emma Groeneveld](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/emmagroeneveld1/ "User Page: Emma Groeneveld"), published on 10 January 2019. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Public Domain](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_domain). This item is in the public domain, and can be used, copied, and modified without any restrictions. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.