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Ísland 2008: Þingvellir

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Þingvellir is the rift valley where Iceland's national parliament first met in the year 930. Most foreign visitors to Iceland first see Þingvellir from this overlook. On the left is Allmannagjá, the gorge along the north side of the valley. In the center are the parliament plains where the assembly's business was conducted in the open air. To the right is the hotel on the site, and across the Öxará river is the farmhouse and church at Þingvellir.

The overlook had quite a different appearance from that which I usually see in summer. The low sun was coloring the clouds and was just beginning to light up the mountains surrounding Þingvellir.

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