Þingvellir
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Þingvellir National Park* | |
|---|---|
| UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
 |
|
| State Party |  Iceland |
| Type | Cultural |
| Criteria | iii, vi |
| Reference | 1152 |
| Region† | Europe and North America |
| Inscription history | |
| Inscription | 2004 (28th Session) |
| * Name as inscribed on World Heritage List. † Region as classified by UNESCO. |
|
Þingvellir (Icelandic: Þing: 'parliament', vellir: 'plains')(usual transliteration:Thingvellir ), is a place in the southwest of Iceland near the peninsula of Reykjanes and the Hengill volcanic area.
[edit] History
The valley is one of the most important places in Icelandic history. In the year 930, the Alþing, one of the oldest parliamentary institutions of the world, was founded here.
Alþingi (“the Alþing”) 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 female lawbreakers were drowned.
In 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 Alþing, Þorgeir 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 and the park is also home to the summer residence of the Prime Minister of Iceland.
[edit] Geography
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 ('coin 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 Öxarárfoss. Together with the waterfall Gullfoss and the geysirs of Haukadalur, Þingvellir is part of the most famous sights of Iceland, the Golden Circle.
Þingvellir is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.
[edit] External links
