Harpa, Concert hall in Reykjavík, Iceland
Harpa is a concert hall in Reykjavík, Iceland, with a facade made of 714 geometric glass panels that face the harbor and are lit by LEDs. The illuminated panels create a light display visible from many parts of the city.
Construction began in 2007 but was interrupted during the Icelandic financial crisis of 2008. The government took over full funding to complete the project as a symbol of the country's economic recovery, and the hall opened in 2011.
The Iceland Symphony Orchestra and other local ensembles regularly appear in the Eldborg Hall, blending Nordic sounds with modern compositions. The building serves as a central meeting point for musicians and visitors from across the country.
Guided tours of the building take place daily and show the interior spaces. Several restaurants and a shop are accessible without a ticket, so visitors can drop by outside concert times.
Danish-Icelandic artist Olafur Eliasson designed the glass facade to reproduce the basalt formations of Iceland and harness natural light. The reflections change according to the time of day and season.
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