Colina del obús
Howitzer Hill son unas ruinas históricas en la Región Capital, Islandia, que ofrecen una visión de las vidas de los primeros colonos islandeses y de la larga hi…
At a Glance
Visit time
30–60 minutes depending on your route and whether you combine it with a visit to Perlan or other walking paths in the area.
Best season
Daytime is ideal for exploring the area and following the walking paths through Öskjuhlíð. Early morning or evening offers a quieter experience in the forest.
Access
Located in Öskjuhlíð near Perlan in Reykjavík. Easily accessible on foot or by bike via marked trails. Parking is available near Perlan.
GPS
64.1302, -21.9236
About
About Colina del obús
Howitzer Hill son unas ruinas históricas en la Región Capital, Islandia, que ofrecen una visión de las vidas de los primeros colonos islandeses y de la larga historia del país.
Visit Öskjuhlíð Howitzer Hill to discover a hidden World War II site where Reykjavík’s wartime defenses once stood, now set within the peaceful forest of Öskjuhlíð.
Photos
Photo Gallery
Background
History & Background
Öskjuhlíð Howitzer Hill fue establecido durante la Segunda Guerra Mundial como parte del sistema defensivo aliado en Reykjavík. Gracias a su posición elevada en Öskjuhlíð, el lugar se utilizó para instalar artillería, incluidos obuses, con el fin de proteger la ciudad y su puerto de posibles amenazas en el Atlántico Norte. Tras el final de la guerra, las instalaciones militares fueron desmanteladas y el área fue gradualmente transformada en un espacio recreativo público. Hoy en día, el sitio se conserva como un lugar histórico que refleja el papel estratégico de Islandia durante la guerra, integrándose al mismo tiempo en el entorno natural del bosque de Öskjuhlíð.
Folklore
Story & Folklore
Howitzer Hill es un sitio histórico en la Región Capital que conecta a los visitantes con la larga historia humana de Islandia. Islandia fue colonizada por vikingos nórdicos en el siglo IX, y durante los siguientes mil años, los islandeses vivieron cerca de la tierra en granjas con paredes de césped, sobreviviendo a duros inviernos y dependiendo de las ovejas, la pesca y la comunidad. Estos sitios preservan la memoria de esa forma de vida.
💡 Did You Know?
During World War II, Allied forces stationed artillery like howitzers in Öskjuhlíð to defend Reykjavík, highlighting the city’s strategic importance in the North Atlantic.
Local Legend
A hidden WWII artillery site in Öskjuhlíð, where Reykjavík’s wartime defenses once overlooked the North Atlantic.
During World War II, the quiet hill of Öskjuhlíð was transformed into a strategic military position. What is now a peaceful forest near Perlan became part of the defensive network protecting Reykjavík. Allied forces installed artillery on the hill, using its elevated position to monitor the coastline and guard the harbor. Soldiers stationed here kept watch over the sea, playing a role in a broader effort to secure Iceland’s place in the North Atlantic during the war. After the conflict ended, the guns were removed and the area slowly returned to nature. Trees grew, paths formed, and the site became part of everyday life once again. Today, visitors walking through Öskjuhlíð can still sense this hidden layer of history beneath the forest landscape.
Culture
Stories & Legends
Icelandic sagas and folklore from this area
Engey
Engey is a historic location in Iceland mentioned in "Njáls saga", one of the ancient Íslendingasögur (Sagas of Icelanders). These medieval narratives preserve the history of Iceland's Viking Age settlement.
Reykjavík
Reykjavík is a historic location in Iceland mentioned in "Harðar saga og Hólmverja", one of the ancient Íslendingasögur (Sagas of Icelanders). These medieval narratives preserve the history of Iceland's Viking Age settlement.
Skuggabaldur – The Shadow Creature
Skuggabaldur: A phantom dog guarding forgotten paths.
Höfði House – Reykjavík's Haunted Mansion
Höfði House: Reykjavík's historic mansion with a chilling paranormal past.
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