Tjornin Lake, Reykjavik

Tjörnin (The Pond) is a small lake located in the heart of Reykjavík. It's a common sight for tourists, being next to Reykjavik City Hall and various museums. Historically, it formed from a lagoon that was once part of a reef where Harbour Street (Hafnarstræti) now is. This street runs along the southern edge of the lake and leads to nearby gardens.

In winter, The Pond freezes at times, becoming a popular spot for ice skating. It's relatively shallow, with an average depth of 0.57 meters (about 1.9 feet) and a maximum depth of 0.8 meters (around 2.4 feet). Paved paths run along both sides of the lake, ending at the Concert Hall Park (Hljómskálagarður), adorned with statues, to its south. These paths are often used by joggers and cyclists, and there are boards displaying daily bird counts on the lake.

The Pond is a haven for birdwatchers, attracting 40 to 50 types of water birds, like the Arctic tern, Eider, Gadwall, Greylag goose, different goose species, Mallard, various seagulls, and the scaup. It's also a great spot to see Whooper swans up close. The arrival of the Arctic tern is a sign of summer's beginning, drawing bird enthusiasts from across the North Atlantic. The lake is a popular place for parents to bring children to watch and feed birds, earning it the playful nickname "the biggest bread soup in the world."

A wooden bridge for pedestrians was built over The Pond in 1920. To better support vehicles, it was replaced with a concrete bridge in 1942, which remains in use today.