Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Iceland's 1100 Years: The History of a Marginal Society,
by Gunnar Karlsson, provides an
insightful, contemporary history of Iceland from settlement onwards.
Where to Find Viking Vibes
National Museum, Reykjavík
Reykjavík 871±2 museum, Reykjavík
Þingvellir National Park, near Selfoss
Víkingaheimar, Njarðvík
Eiríksstaðir (reconstruction), Dalir
Stöng farmstead, Þjórsárdalur
Njál's Saga
sites, Hvolsvöllur
The Vikings Are Coming!
After the Irish monks, Iceland's first permanent settlers came from Norway. The Age of
Settlement is traditionally defined as the period between 870 and 930, when political strife
on the Scandinavian mainland caused many to flee. Most North Atlantic Norse settlers
were ordinary Scandinavian citizens: farmers, herders and merchants who settled right
across Western Europe, marrying Britons, Westmen (Irish) and Scots.
It's likely that the Norse accidentally discovered Iceland after being blown off course en
route to the Faroe Islands. The first arrival, Naddoddr, sailed from Norway and landed on
the east coast around 850. He named the place Snæland (Snow Land) before backtracking
to his original destination.
Iceland's second visitor, Garðar Svavarsson, circumnavigated the island and then settled
in for the winter at Húsavík on the north coast. When he left in the spring some of his crew
remained, or were left behind, thereby becoming the island's first residents.
Around 860 the Norwegian Flóki Vilgerðarson uprooted his farm and family and headed
for Snæland. He navigated with ravens, which, after some trial and error, led him to his
destination and provided his nickname, Hrafna-Flóki (Raven-Flóki). Hrafna-Flóki sailed to
Vatnsfjörður on the west coast but became disenchanted after seeing icebergs floating in
the fjord. He renamed the country Ísland (Iceland), and returned to Norway; although he
