Thingvellir pronounced as Thingvellir is not just any other National Park, it is in fact, a highly revered sanctuary in Iceland. Established in 930 AD, the park was the site of an open-air assembly for parliament called the Althing. The assembly was primarily charged with resolving disputes, creating laws for free men, and discussing issues relevant to the county. It was not until 1798 that the parliamentary assembly was abolished. Thus, it is not surprising that the Althing has a deeply rooted symbology for the Icelanders, and that the park has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Today, when you visit Thingvellir National Park, you will see what remains of the Althing: ruins of some 50 huts made of stone and grass. There is also a church near the site that is open daily during the summer. To get a good idea of the function and history of the old parliament site, stop by the Visitor Center, which stands out as the newest building located near the Hakio viewpoint.
The center features a state-of-the-art interactive multimedia exhibit, which is the first of its kind in the country. This exhibit highlights the nature and cultural heritage of the park and its landscape, aided by large TV monitors, illustrative video and audio presentation, and a touch screen interface. The audiovisual presentation is available in five languages: Icelandic, English, French, German and Danish. Just outside the Visitor Center is a trail that leads into the beautiful Almannagj Fault, another park attraction.
The landscape of Thingvellir National Park is fascinating for any traveller, but it is also amazing evidence of the way of life in the region for 1000 years. If you go to the lava field located in the valley of the fault, you can also see the abandoned farms that worked in the 18th and 19th centuries. You can marvel at the farms of Skógarkot, Vatnskot and Hrauntún by taking some relatively easy hiking trails. There are also other hiking trails that take you to the Oxara River. Here, you can find camping spots where you can spend the night and sleep under the stars.
Another main activity in the Park is diving, and a very popular place to experience it is Silfra. Silfra is considered one of the best diving spots in all of Iceland due to its unique crevasse, incredible visibility, and wonderful surroundings. Make sure you comply with all diving regulations and requirements set by the National Park authority before diving into amazing diving experiences!
Other available activities that you can enjoy are horse riding and angling, the season of which starts on May 1st until September 15th. The National Park is conveniently located just 45 km northeast of the capital ReykjavÌk. You can get there driving on your own, hiring a private transport or doing an organized tour.