Lögberg-Heimskringla - 01.02.2012, Page 16

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16 • Lögberg-Heimskringla • february 1 2012
The year 1000 AD was an important year in Icelandic history. Leifur
heppni Eiríksson embarked
on his journey to Vínland but
Icelanders as a nation also
converted to Christianity.
According to the legend, the
members of the Alþingi were
split into two religious factions,
pagans and Christians. When
they weren’t able to reach an
agreement, the compromise was
that Þorgeir ljósvetningagoði,
the pagan lawspeaker, would
himself decide which religion
Icelanders should follow for
the coming centuries. Þorgeir
did not take his responsibility
lightly; he retired to his tent
where he lay under a fur
blanket for one day and one
night. He then declared that
all Icelanders should convert
to Christianity although
those who wanted to practice
paganism, should be allowed
to do so in the privacy of their
own homes.
When Þorgeir ljósvetning-
agoði had returned to his farm
at Ljósavatn in the northern part
of Iceland, he took all his idols
of the pagan gods to a nearby
waterfall and threw them in
the water. The waterfall in
question is since then known
as Goðafoss and it is among
the most beautiful and popular
tourist destinations in northern
Iceland. Located in the river
of Skjálfandafljót about 45
kilometres east of Akureyri,
Goðafoss is regarded as
one of the most spectacular
waterfalls in Iceland.
It is not the tallest of
waterfalls (12 metres) and
it is not the most powerful
of waterfalls. Yet there is
something magical and indeed
spellbinding about it and the
surrounding landscape. This
magic, however, is something
that must be experienced.
Goðafoss is a bit too far
from Reykjavík for a one
day trip but if you’re ever
travelling in the northern
parts of Iceland, a visit to this
beautiful and magical place is
highly recommended.
Mini-Tour: Where the pagan gods rest
G. Sverrir Þór
Uppsala, Sweden
Goðafoss – something magic, something spellbinding about this waterfall
PHoto: g. sVerrIr Þór
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