"Þingvellir" Þingvellir by snorril

Þingvellir Travel Guide: 108 reviews and 308 photos

A historic place

Þingvellir national park is located approx. 40 minutes drive east out of Reykjavík. The site has a special place in the nation's heart because of its huge importans in its history.

Þingvellir was the place were Icelanders gathered to assamble their parliament in 930. The parliament was situated there for almost 9 centuries, until 1798. Many of the Sagas take place at Þingvellir and most important decisions the nation had to make were made there.
One of the most famous is when Iceland, in the year 1000, decided to become Christian and abolish the believe in the Nordic Gods. Probably one of the most peaceful religous change in history.

Þingvellir has been the setting for many national festivals, i.e. the Indipendence festival where Icelanders celebrated their independance on June 17th 1944.

Great natural beauty

Þingvellir at fall - from www.icelandicstore.com

Þingvellir consist of vast lava fields, with interesting rock formations, cracks and fissures, a big lake (the biggest in Iceland not man made) with trout-fishing, some birch woods and impressive mountainous background.

This place is hugely popular with Icelanders and a very common destination for a Sunday's road trip. The place is especially impressive during the fall with all it's multicoulored leaves.

Geology

Fissure

The Atlantic fissure, that seperates the Eurasian and American plates, runs through the national park and the forces generated when these plates move against each other are responisble for the unique landscapes.

----- I´m currently suffering from lack of good photographs of the place as most of them aren't on digital format. So I will have to borrow some pics until I upgrade my own. -----

Pros and Cons

In a nutshell:A special place in Icelandic history

Last visit to Þingvellir: Jun 2003
Intro Updated Mar 4, 2005
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Reviews (4)

Öxará river Favorites (4)

Öxará river is a fresh river that runs through Almannagjá gorge. Öxarárfoss waterfall is where the river falls into the... more travel advice

Þingvallavatn - from www.natmus.is - Þingvellir

Lake Þingvallavatn Favorites (4)

This is the biggest not man-made lake in Iceland and is supposed to be a big trout-fishing lake. The lake offers... more travel advice

Almannagjá - from this.is/iceland - Þingvellir

Almannagjá Favorites (4)

A natural theater made of a big lava fissure. This is the place where speakers spoke their speeches at the... more travel advice

Hiking in Þingvellir Favorites (4)

A lot of easy walks on marked trails are on offer at Þingvellir. The tourist information center has a small map for a... more travel advice

Travelogues (2)

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Comments (15)

agapotravel May 26, 2007 at 8:13 AM Report Abuse

Stunning pictures!! We are visiting in July, and I am very excited! How far is the walk from the parking area to Oxararfoss?
nicolaitan May 16, 2006 at 6:58 PM Report Abuse

looks absolutely beautiful.
Sininen Mar 3, 2006 at 10:11 AM Report Abuse

Wonderful page on wonderful place! Want to visit it in May when we will be in Iceland.
pipster Sep 2, 2005 at 10:11 AM Report Abuse

Beautiful! Cannot wait to add to my travels!
andy-g Oct 14, 2004 at 2:44 AM Report Abuse

nice pages about the country where you live! I was there this summer and loved it very much
storyin Aug 25, 2004 at 12:22 PM Report Abuse

very beautiful ( Lake Þingvallavatn )
JLBG Jul 3, 2004 at 9:21 PM Report Abuse

I like very much your page. Great pictures !
scotlandscotour Jun 16, 2004 at 5:08 AM Report Abuse

Ahhh, Iceland. Part of me is there forever. Blood, sweat and tears, and my soul. I am so close, yet cannot touch, but so want to return. These pages help. Thank You. From Scotland.
KiNyA May 8, 2004 at 7:15 AM Report Abuse

Nice page!
ophiru Apr 16, 2004 at 2:07 AM Report Abuse

beautiful pictures ! i hope t osee more beautiful pictures and tips !