Íslenska
Þingvellir National Park
Iceland is steeped in history, but one of the most important places is Þingvellir (Thingvellir). Part of the Golden Circle, you can take a tour to visit some of Iceland’s most visited attractions. Still, you will want to focus enough time at Thingvellir to take in the history — both geologic and cultural.
The History at Þingvellir
Thingvellir National Park is an impressive place where you can walk through the rifts made by tectonic plates, where the country of Iceland is slowly being torn apart. There are rocky cliffs, as well as a waterfall and diving opportunities.
For many centuries, Thingvellir was almost synonymous with government, as the ruling body of Iceland met here. For example, the Alþingi (Parliament) met in Thingvellir between 930 AD and 1798 AD before moving to Reykjavik. In addition to standing where laws and governmental decisions were made for centuries, you can visit other historic sites, such as Thingvellir Church and booths where parliamentary proceedings took place, including Snorri’s booth, named for the famous Icelandic chieftain Snorri Þorgrímsson.
Things To Do At Thingvellir
Come to Thingvellir prepared to spend several hours exploring the area’s history. In addition, you may consider arranging a diving tour to allow you to visit one of the best dive sites in the world.
The two major faults you can see at Thingvellir are Almannagjá and Hrafnagjá. Almannagjá marks the eastern boundary of the North American tectonic plate, while Hrafnagjá is the western boundary of the Eurasian tectonic plate. In addition to these large faults, you can see numerous fissures across the valley floor when hiking through Thingvellir.
Another major attraction at Thingvellir is the Law Rock, which was the focal point of the Alþingi. The Law Rock was used as a podium of sorts, with important speeches occurring here throughout the time that the Alþingi met in Thingvellir. For example, when the session of Parliament opened each June, the session was opened by the leading chieftain and the head priest in the Old Norse religion. People who sought to address the assemblage at the Alþingi would also stand at the Law Rock to make their address.
As you explore the site of the Alþingi, you can see numerous stone structures and traces of buildings. During the sessions of the Alþingi, people would stay in “booths” or shelters. There have been close to 50 booths identified, although newer booths were often constructed on top of older ones. They can be found along both banks of the Öxará River and near the slope where Hotel Valhöll once stood. Snorri’s booth is one of the most visible structures within Thingvellir, although most of the structures that are left date to years between the 17th and 18th centuries.
The waters around Thingvellir are stunning. The only waterfall within Thingvellir National Park is the Öxarárfoss waterfall, where the Öxará River flows over the edge of the Almannagjá. It is located near the eastern edge of the fault line, so you can watch the icy waters of the Öxará River flow through the park before cascading over the waterfall. There is a pool of water at the base of the waterfall that is extremely cold, particularly during the Icelandic winter months, and it is filled with rocks.
Also found within Thingvellir National Park is a unique diving location known as Silfra, within Thingvallavatn Lake. As the tectonic plates separate each year, tension builds up within the mass of the earth, and earthquakes periodically occur. These earthquakes produce cracks to form within the Thingvellir Valley, and Silfra is one of the largest, as well as one of the deepest, fissures within the Thingvellir Valley. Located within the lake, Silfra receives water from groundwater sources, including a major aquifer and meltwater from Langjökull, the second-largest glacier in Iceland. Over time, caves have formed within the fissures, and Silfra has become a popular place to scuba dive and snorkel. The icy water is incredibly clear and offers geological significance, such as being one of the few places people can swim between the continental plates.
A less well-known but no less important part of Thingvellir’s history is that drowning was often used as a means of execution. The drowning pool in Thingvellir is known as Drekingarhylur, and women were reported to be tied up in sacks and pushed into the pool, where they drowned.
There are a few important structures at Thingvellir, including Thingvellir Church. The current church was built in 1859, but there has been a church at this important area in Iceland’s history since around 1000 AD, although the exact location of the original church is unknown. Built a few years after the church was consecrated is a tower attached to the church, containing three bells, including one known as Iceland’s bell, which was installed when Iceland became a republic in 1944. If you go to the church, you can also stop and pay your respects at the nearby Icelandic National Cemetery.
Also, at Thingvellir is the Prime Minister’s Summerhouse. The current building has five gables, with four gables for the Prime Minister and their offices. The fifth gable is for use by the Thingvellir National Park manager and the priest of Thingvellir Church. The current house dates back to 1930 when Guðjón Samúelsson designed it.
Reminders for Your Visit to Thingvellir National Park
Bring sensible shoes for your trip to Thingvellir. There are many places to hike, and you do not want to develop blisters while taking the trails to learn more about the history of the Althing and visit the tectonic rift and cliffs.
Children should be monitored carefully while in Thingvellir. There are numerous fissures where they could fall, and much of the ground is uneven as a result of the geologic activity, meaning it is easy to trip or stumble. The waters around Thingvellir are also icy, so they should keep children away from the water’s edge.
While you are in Thingvellir National Park, there are two information centers. These locations offer you a chance to take a restroom break, shop for souvenirs, and even get a snack to munch on.
Have you seen our blog about National Parks in Iceland?