Thingvellir

ThingvellirThingvellir, the historical site of the first Althing (Icelandic parliament), is now part of a national park near Reykjavík.
Thingvellir fracture, Mid-Atlantic Ridge
Thingvellir fracture, Mid-Atlantic RidgeThingvellir fracture, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge in southwestern Iceland.

Thingvellir, historical site, southwestern Iceland, on the northern shore of Lake Thingvalla. From 930 to 1798 it was the annual meeting place of the Althing (Parliament). Though little remains of any of the early buildings, the spectacular setting in which much of Iceland’s early history unfolded is now a national park. The national park was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2004.

This article was most recently revised and updated by John M. Cunningham.
Citation Information
Article Title: Thingvellir
Website Name: Encyclopaedia Britannica
Publisher: Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.
Date Published: 13 July 2011
Access Date: February 22, 2025