Althing, National parliament in Reykjavík, Iceland
The Althing is the national parliament in Reykjavík, formed by 63 elected representatives who meet in a stone building downtown. The house sits on Kirkjustræti next to the cathedral and contains the main chamber, offices, and committee rooms of the legislature.
In 930 the assembly began at the Thingvellir site, where chieftains and free farmers met each summer. After being dissolved in 1800, the institution was restored in 1844 and moved to Reykjavík, where the current building was erected in 1881.
The name comes from "Alþingi," referring to the assembly of all free men who once gathered at the Thingvellir site. Today the building serves as a place where elected representatives debate matters affecting Icelanders, and visitors can follow proceedings from the public gallery.
The parliament building sits in central Reykjavík, within walking distance of other downtown sites. Entrances are accessible, and visitors should bring identification if they plan to enter the public gallery.
The original assembly met outdoors at the edge of a rift between tectonic plates. Today the parliament building receives state guests and foreign delegations in a room decorated with tapestries made from Icelandic wool.
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