National Park, UNESCO World Heritage Property
Þingvellir (or Thingvellir; translated Parliament Plains) is Icelands first National Park and its most popular sight. The park in the country's southwest is the place where the Althing – an open-air assembly, which represented the whole of Iceland – was established in 930 and continued to meet until 1798. Over two weeks a year, the assembly set laws – seen as a covenant between free men – and settled disputes. The Althing has deep historical and symbolic associations for the people of Iceland. The property includes the Þingvellir National Park and the remains of the Althing itself: fragments of around 50 booths built from turf and stone. Remains from the 10th century are thought to be buried underground. The site also includes remains of agricultural use from the 18th and 19th centuries. The park shows evidence of the way the landscape was husbanded over 1,000 years. Since 2004 Þingvellir National Park is a UNESCO World Cultrural Heritage site.
None. The guided tours are also free.
Þingvellir is 40km northeast of Reykjavík. It's best to go by car or take a bus tour.
During the summer on weekdays there are guided one-hour walks with park rangers at 10:00 and 15:00. Starting point for the tours is the Thingvellir church. The tours are free of charge and do not require booking.
