Iceland 1930

Bibliographic data

Monograph

Identifikator:: 1830571079

URN:: urn:nbn:de:zbw-retromon-221162

Document type:: Monograph

Title:: Iceland 1930

Edition:: 2. ed.

Place of publication:: Reykjavík

Publisher:: Ríkisprentsmiđjan Gutenberg

Year of publication:: 1930

Scope:: 193 S.; Tab., Kt., Taf.

Digitisation:: 2022

Collection:: Economics Books

Usage license:: Get license information via the feedback formular.

Chapter

Document type:: Monograph

Structure type:: Chapter

Title:: Iceland for tourists

Collection:: Economics Books

168 Of hotels there are: Hotel Island, Skjaldbreid, Hétel Hekla, and the modern Hétel Borg, opened in 1929, Electricity for the town is obtained from a plant driven by water power. THINGVELLIR For sight seeing, Thingvellir is quite unique and presents one of the finest sceneries in Iceland with all its varied formations of lava, rift — Almannagji being the chief among them all, — the little waterfall of Oxar4, the grand mountain view, the beautiful lake Thing- vallavatn, etc. etc. But the historical interest of the place is even still greater, as from the year 930 to 1798 Althingi or the Parliament of Iceland met here every summer, in the open air. People from all parts of the country came here during the session, the number of visitors often running up to several thousands. Besides being a legislative assembly, Althingi also possessed judicia powers and all important matters that could not be settled by the local authorities in the country, were brought before this general meeting. Skirmishes and even big battles often took place here, when riotous chiefs did not like the verdict of the jury. During the session, which lasted about 2 weeks, the whole place was studded with tents as all the visitors had to camp, but the more powerful leaders had their so-called booths (Icelandic: biidir), where they stayed with their favourite attendants. The booths were built up of turf and stone and covered with Icelandic vadmal or homespun; many of the ruins of these booths are still to be seen. On the eastern wall of the Almannagjs is the place where the taw-speaker had to proclaim all the existing laws. Here also were announced all important declarations. The name of this place is Liégbera. REVYKJAHOLT Reykjaholt was the residence of Snorri Sturluson, and here he was treacherously murdered in 1241 by order of the king of Norway. His bathing place still remains here and is called Snorralaug (Snorri’s Bath). It is circular in form and about 4 metres in diameter, buill up of split stones and cemented. There is a stone bench all around its inside, with the wall for a back, and it is supplied with water from one of the many hot springs in the neighbourhood, conveyed underground for a distance of more than 100 meires. It is evident from the life of Snorri, written by his contemporaries,

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