Among the top landmarks of Reykjavik city, along with Hallgrimskirkja and Harpa Concert Hall, Perlan or ‘The Pearl’, sits pretty on Öskjuhlíð hill overlooking the city. Perlan, which stands 61 metres above sea level, has a circular walk-around observation deck atop that offers an extended 360º view of the beautiful city and beyond.
Among the top landmarks of Reykjavik city, along with Hallgrimskirkja and Harpa Concert Hall, Perlan or ‘The Pearl’, sits pretty on Öskjuhlíð hill overlooking the city. Perlan, which stands 61 metres above sea level, has a circular walk-around observation deck atop that offers an extended 360º view of the beautiful city and beyond.
The location initially stored water tanks until 1991, after which it was converted into a building that offered various facilities to the public, including a planetarium, an exhibition hall, observation deck and a restaurant. In fact, about half a century ago, in 1939 the location was the site for just one large hot water tank. Of course, the tank that supplied hot water with enough pressure to push water up about 38 metres above sea level or up to the 10th floor of a building stood there after the renovation, but in a different and beautiful avatar, as five more were added to give an aesthetic look to the dome-shaped construction.
Each tank has the capacity of 5 million litres of hot water. Designed by Ingimundur Sveinsson, Perlan hosts the ‘wonders of Iceland’ which is an exhibition displaying Icelandic nature, volcanoes, glaciers, geysers etc and includes an interesting timeline showing the formation of Iceland and how life began here. It also has a replica of the famous Látrabjarg Cliff, umpteen photographs by celebrated photographers, an indoor ice cave and a show about volcanoes. The planetarium dome theatre displays an artificial northern lights effect inside and has a rotating light on top to warm aircraft. Recently a 230-metre zip-line, ‘fluglínan’ was also added, which lets enthusiasts zip at 50 km/hr over trees on Öskjuhlíð hill. Like the iconic Hallgrimskirkja, Perlan too can be seen from various points in the city and literally glitters in the night with its wonderful illumination.
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