Þingvellir

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**Þingvellir National Park**¹
**UNESCO World Heritage Site**

State Party	Iceland
Type	Cultural
Criteria	iii, vi
Identification	#1152
Region²	Europe and North America
Inscription History
Formal Inscription:	2004 28th WH Committee Session
WH link:	http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1152
1 Name as officially inscribed on the WH List 2 As classified officially by UNESCO

The title of this article contains the character Þ. Where it is unavailable or not desired, the name may be represented as Thingvellir.

Þingvellir (Icelandic "Þing": parliament, "vellir": plains) is a place in the southwest of Iceland near the peninsula of Reykjanes and the Hengill volcanic area.

The valley is one of the most important places in Icelandic history. In the year 930, the Alþingi, one of the oldest parliamentary institutions of the world, was founded. The Alþingi met yearly, where the Lawspeaker recited the law to all of the gathered people and decided disputes as well. Criminals were also punished at these assemblies; to this day, visitors can see the Drekkingarhylur ("drowning pool") in the river, where woman lawbreakers were drowned.

Þingvellir in autumn

In the year 999 or 1000 the Lawspeaker Þorgeir Ljósvetningagoði made Christianity the official religion of Iceland. After his conversion it is said that, upon returning from the Alþingi, Þorgeir then threw his statues of the old Norse gods into the waterfall that is now named Goðafoss ("Waterfall of the Gods"). At this historical place, the independence of the Republic of Iceland was proclaimed on June 17, 1944.

Map

Þingvellir became a national park in 1928 due to its historical importance, as well as the special tectonic and volcanic environment. The continental drift can be clearly seen in the cracks or faults which are traversing the region, the biggest one, Almannagjá, being a veritable canyon. This causes also the often measurable earthquakes in the area, see [1]. Some of the rifts are full of surprisingly clear water. One, Nikulásargjá, is better known as Peningagjá (penny canyon), as it is littered with coins at its bottom. Throw in a coin, make a wish, and watch the coin carefully; legend has it that if you can see your coin hit the bottom it will come true.

Þingvellir is situated on the northern shore of Þingvallavatn (assembly plains lake), the biggest lake of Iceland. The river Öxará traverses the national park and forms a waterfall at the Almannagjá, called Öxaráfoss. Together with the waterfall Gullfoss and the geysirs of Haukadalur, Þingvellir is part of the most famous sights of Iceland, the Golden Circle.

The park is also home to the summer residence of the Prime Minister of Iceland.

Þingvellir is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.