Me in what is called the Parliament Plains, Iceland’s first parliament, at the Þingvellir (Thingvellir) National Park, one of the Golden Circle sites in the municipality of Bláskógabyggð in southwestern Iceland. The large lava rock formations of this gorge are known as Almannagjá and are thought to have been here for some 10,000 years. (Oct. 2, 2021)

Our Intrepid Tour guide, driver and Icelandic encyclopedia, Thor, explaining to our group that about the area at the Þingvellir (Thingvellir) National Park, a beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Site along with being the home to the Parliament Plains where representatives from all over Iceland met here annually during the summertime in an assembly style similar to that of a modern parliament, except it was held outdoors. (Oct. 2, 2021)

The Thingvellir National Park, home to the Parliament Plains and location of Iceland’s first parliament. (Oct. 2, 2021)

Drowning was once widely used as a method of execution. And, it’s difficult to believe that this majestically beautiful place, the Drekkingarhylur or Drowning Deep Pool at the Thingvellir National Park below the meeting place of the Parliament, was where women who were mainly convicted of adultery were drowned. Some 18 women were drowned between 1618 and 1749. (Oct. 2, 2021)

The waterfalls at the Thingvellir National Park, home to the Parliament Plains location of Iceland’s first parliament. also contains the Silfra fissure, where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates are slowly pulling apart. The resulting gap is partly filled with fresh water and is clearly visible. (Oct. 2, 2021)

The Thingvellir National Park, home to the Parliament Plains location of Iceland’s first parliament, also contains the Silfra fissure, where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates are slowly pulling apart. The resulting gap is partly filled with fresh water and is clearly visible. (Oct. 2, 2021)

Walking through the large lava rock formations, known as Almannagjá, thought to have been here for some 10,000 years at the Thingvellir National Park. (Oct. 2, 2021)

Walking through the large lava rock formations, known as Almannagjá, thought to have been here for some 10,000 years at the Thingvellir National Park. It is not only a geological wonder and place of historical importance but also a sacred place. (Oct. 2, 2021)

The large lava rock formation, known as Almannagjá at the Thingvellir National Park, is thought to have been there for 10,000 years. It is where the first settlers chose as their national assembly some 1100 years ago to make the laws and settle the disputes. It is also the place where a final decision was made to revert to Christianity and abolish paganism. (Oct. 2, 2021)