Thingvellir National Park
Thingvellir is a national park in southwestern Iceland, created in 1928. The park is located among a large number of volcanoes, among which it is worth noting Hengil near Lake Thingvallavatn. The Jöksara River flows through the park, forming the Jöksaraurfoss waterfall. This area is characterized by frequent tectonic shifts, so earthquakes often occur. In 2004, Thingvellir was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List as evidence of the era of Icelandic democracy.
In 930, the Althing, the oldest parliament in Europe, performing legislative and judicial functions, met for the first time in Thingvellir. The meeting was held a couple of times a year in the summer, so that as many residents as possible could get to the meeting place. In the year 1000 they voted to accept Christianity. Here, in the 16th century, according to Danish laws, witches were drowned and men's heads were cut off.
Thingvellir National Park is unique both in terms of history and geology. The park is located on a crack in the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates, which greatly influenced the terrain. By the large number of cracks, you can clearly see how the continents moved away from each other. There are lakes with the purest water formed at the site of faults. In one of these lakes, located in the Peningagya canyon (translated as “penny canyon”), according to legend, you can make a wish by throwing a coin into the lake. And if a person sees his coin at a depth of several meters, then his wish will undoubtedly come true. The park also contains Lake Thingvellir, which contains 3 of Iceland's 5 water species. There is also the largest natural lake in Iceland - Thingvallavatn, which is popular among fishermen. It occupies an area of 84 km2, and the greatest depth is 114 meters. The rivers in the vicinity of the park are favored by diving enthusiasts. Also popular among divers is the Silfra Gorge, which is located in a rift, so there are many underwater caves here. The depth of the lake reaches 50 meters and the water always stays at 1-3 °C warmer.
Thingvellir Park is best visited in the summer during the tourist season. In September, hotels close and the number of public transport services is reduced. During the summer you can watch the “white nights”, which amaze with their beauty.
