Reykjavík Municipal Archives

The Reykjavík Municipal Archives is a city institution that collects and preserves documents, photographs, and records from both public institutions and private organizations throughout Reykjavík. The collection spans materials that document the city's development and administrative history over decades.

The archives were established in 1954 when they took over the management of city records previously held by the National Archives of Iceland. This transition marked the beginning of a dedicated local archival institution for the capital.

The archives hold personal collections from two former Icelandic prime ministers, making these documents available through digital platforms. This opens access to personal records that reflect important moments in Iceland's political past.

The archives are located at Tryggvagata 15 and open to visitors on Mondays and Tuesdays from 1 PM to 3 PM for document consultation. Planning ahead about which materials you want to review helps you make the most of your visit time.

The institution manages and coordinates records stored across different city facilities rather than keeping everything in one location. This distributed approach allows research materials to be preserved closer to where they were originally used.