Southwest Iceland & the Golden Circle - Iceland - page 214

fectly. Every important decision affecting Iceland was argued out on this plain - new laws
were passed, marriage contracts were made, and even the country's religion was decided
here. The annual parliament was also a great social occasion, thronging with traders and
entertainers.
Over the following centuries, escalating violence between Iceland's most powerful
groups led to the breakdown of law and order. Governance was surrendered to the Norwe-
gian crown and the Alþing was stripped of its legislative powers in 1271. It functioned
solely as a courtroom until 1798, before being dissolved entirely. When it regained its
powers in 1843, members voted to move the meeting place to Reykjavík.
Sights
From the Park Service Centre on Rte 36, follow Rte 361 down to the only standing struc-
tures in the great rift. What follows is a natural progression of sites, starting from the car
park.
The Tectonic Plates CANYONS, WATERFALLS
( GOOGLE MAP )
The Þingvellir plain is situated on a tectonic plate boundary where North America and
Europe are tearing away from each other at a rate of 1mm to 18mm per year. As a result,
the plain is scarred by dramatic fissures, ponds and rivers, including the great rift Alman-
nagjá . A path runs along the fault between the cliff-top visitors centre and the Alþingi site.
The river Öxará cuts the western plate, tumbling off its edge in a series of pretty cas-
cades. The most impressive is Öxarárfoss , on the northern edge of the Alþingi site. The
pool Drekkingarhylur was used to drown women found guilty of infanticide, adultery or
other serious crimes.
There are other smaller fissures on the eastern edge of the site. During the 17th century
nine men accused of witchcraft were burnt at the stake in Brennugjá (Burning Chasm).
Nearby are the fissures of Flosagjá (named after a slave who jumped his way to freedom)
and Nikulásargjá (after a drunken sheriff discovered dead in the water). The southern end
of Nikulásargjá is known as Peningagjá (Chasm of Coins) for the thousands of coins
tossed into it by visitors.
Þingvallabær HISTORIC BUILDINGS