Region: South West
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GPS: N64°15.806 W21°07.030
About: (Description)
Þingvellir National Park, (“Parliament plains”) the most important historical site in Iceland. For nearly 9 centuries, from the year 930 the Althing, the legislative body of Icelanders, was held there annually near the north end of the lake. Some marked ruins there and in the canyon Almannagjá. A flagpole marks the likely site of Lögberg (“Law cliff”) where the law-speaker recited the laws. The plains and surrounding area were made a National Park in 1928. The area is mostly covered with
birch and willow and has many lava fissures, some filled with icy cold, crystal-clear water. There is a parsonage, church and a national graveyard where the poets Einar Benediktsson and Jónas Hallgrímsson are buried. Þingvellir were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in the summer of 2004. At Hakið, a viewspot where tourists may walk down into Almannagjá fault, a tourist information centre has been built for the Þingvellir National Park. In this center, tourists are introduced to the history and nature of ?ingvellir with the aid of multimedia techniques. Þingvellir is a very popular camping place in summer. Hótel Valhöll.
Hakið, the interpretive center at Hakið is at the top of Almannagjá. There visitors can discover the history and nature of the area with the help of a multimedia program. The exhibition there is the first one in Iceland to utilize multimedia techniques. It is therefore very modern but is at the same time quite simple for visitors to use. The history and nature of Þingvellir is described in detail on large screens where diverse and interesting photographs and drawings may be viewed. The exhibition visitors can choose either narration or subtitles in one of four different languages (Danish, English, German or French) besides Icelandic and control by use of touch-screens which topics they view and in what order. Lavatories can also be found in the interpretive center and are open 24/7 all year round.
Almannagjá, (“Public ravine”)in ancient times many of those attending the Alþing camped on the level grassy bottom of the ravine. Almannagjá is the largest and most famous tectonic fissure in the ?ingvellir National Park. Its western edge is higher than the eastern one which is considerably lower. The entire piece of land between Almannagjá and Hrafnagjá is a graben (fault trough). View-dial on the edge of Almannagjá.
Öxará, a clear river flowing into Almannagjá in a lovely waterfall. The story goes that our forefathers changed the course of the river in order to get better access to water. Drekkingarhylur (“The drowning pool”), a deep pool in the river near the bridge in Almannagjá, formerly a place of execution. Up to the early 18th century women found guilty of crimes such as adultery, incest and murdering infants were tied in sacks and drowned there.
There are plenty of interesting walking routes at Þingvellir, most of them easy and suitable for everyone. For details about routes and distances, ask at the Information Centre (Þjónustumiðstöð) at Þingvellir.
Þjónustumiðstöðin, a service centre, providing information. At the information centre visitors can get all general information about the National Park, its nature and history.
How to get there:
Take road no. 1 from Reykjavík, after you have passed Mosfellsbær there is a rounabout take the first exit to road no. 36 to Þingvellir.
source Iceland Road Atlas
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