I & I - 2011, Page 38

38 I&I
Through the centuries, bathing has been an important aspect
of Icelandic culture. The settlers were quick to realize the ad-
vantages of living on a volcanic island; comfortable hot springs
were plentiful. Today, it is well known that Iceland is dotted with
thermal swimming pools and natural hot springs are still popu-
lar for bathing. Not as many people know that hot springs are
also used as steam baths; saunas are more typically associated
with another Nordic country, Finland. There is one Icelandic hot
spring in particular that has been a source of enjoyable steam
baths for decades and, more recently, heated debates.
Since 1929 one hot spring by the lake Laugarvatn in southwest
Iceland has been a favored place for locals and visitors to have
relaxing steam baths, and also a party place for students of the
Laugarvatn Sports Teacher College. A simple shed, demolished
in 2007, surrounded the hot spring with steam rising through the
floor. Access to the natural steam bath was public and admission
modest. Some locals wanted to keep it that way, others wanted
to reopen the steam bath in a larger and more modern building
able to facilitate a steady stream of visitors. The steam bath has
now been given a makeover as part of Laugarvatn Fontana—a
spa owned by Icelandair Hotels and the Blue Lagoon, among
other shareholders—which opened in early July and will be open
year-round.
Another historical location by Laugarvatn is the thermal pool
Vígdalaug. Ancient sources say that some of the chieftains who
converted to Christianity at Thingvellir in 1000 refused to be
baptized in cold water and preferred the hot springs by Lau-
garvatn. The lake and the surrounding area was actually named
after the pool, such was its significance; its water is said to have
healing powers. Bathing is not permitted in the pool, which lies
outside Laugarvatn Fontana’s boundaries, but it is still a hotspot
among tourists.
Laugarvatn is located right in the middle of the Golden Cir-
cle, Iceland’s most popular day tour. The spa includes a num-
ber of paddling pools and hot pots, in addition to a view plat-
form on the roof, facilities for sunbathing and a beach by the
lake kept warm by hot springs. The building was designed to
harmonize with the surroundings with soft, flowing lines, walls
made of stone and larch, and heather growing on the roof. The
biggest attraction is of course the old steam bath, which in the
midst of all this modern design has maintained its rustic appear-
ance. With a wooden frame around the hot spring, steam emits
through gaps in the floor as in the old shed.
After four years, the good, old natural steam bath is back in
business and awaiting your visit. If you can take the heat.
fontana.is
By Eygló Svala Arnarsdóttir.
cAn you
tAke
tHe HeAt?
The old natural steam
bath by Laugarvatn has
undergone a makeover
as part of Laugarvatn
Fontana.
P
ho
to
b
y
P
ál
l S
te
fá
ns
so
n.