Sundhöllin Swimming Pool

Sundhöll Reykjavíkur is a swimming pool in the heart of Reykjavík on Barónsstígur and has been in use since 1937. The old pool building, designed by Guðjón Samúelsson, the State Architect, is one of the most notable examples of neoclassical architecture in Iceland, with white exterior walls, arched windows, and tiled changing rooms that have been preserved from the beginning. Originally, Sundhöllin was built to meet the needs for swimming instruction, which was made a compulsory school subject in 1927. The facilities were innovative for their time and for a long period it was Reykjavík’s main training pool, used for swimming lessons for Austurbæjarskóli and for the sports activities of swimming clubs. At first, the pool was also used as a public bath, as most homes in the city lacked bathing facilities in those days. The old main indoor pool is 25 meters long and 10 meters wide, with four lanes and a depth of 4 meters at the deepest end. The children’s pool is connected and marks off the shallower part of the main pool. On the upper floor, outdoors, there are two hot tubs, including a hot tub with massage jets and 39°C water, and a sunbathing area facing south. In 2017, an extension was opened that adds an outdoor pool with five lanes, a wading pool with play equipment, and hot tubs. A cold tub and a shared steam bath are also located in the outdoor area, along with new outdoor changing rooms and shower facilities. The outdoor pool is 25 meters long and has a shallower depth than the old indoor pool. The history of Sundhöllin reflects its importance as a social and cultural center. From the beginning, the pool has been a venue for diverse events such as concerts, film screenings, and arts festivals. Over the years, Sundhöll Reykjavíkur has been adapted and renovated, but its cultural significance has remained unchanged. Today it is both a historic building and a popular destination for both locals and tourists.