The Golden Circle, Iceland

At the beginning of our tour of “The Golden Circle” out of Reykjavik, we drove through the ancient lava moorlands of Mosfellshei›ion the way to Thingvellir National Park

Iceland’s “Golden Circle” refers to a drive outside of Reykjavik that encompasses three of the top natural sights in Iceland: Thingvellir, Gullfoss, and Geysir.  Thingvellir National Park is a World Heritage Site praised for its historical and geological importance.  Visitors can see the geological fault known as Almannagjá, the only place above sea level where the North American and European Tectonic Plates converge. Two continents literally come together here, sometimes with violent geological consequences.  The park is also where the Althing, the world’s oldest surviving parliament, was founded in 930, convening here every summer for over eight centuries.  At the Geysir geothermal area visitors can walk amid the multitude of hot springs and watch as Strokkur, Iceland’s version of Old Faithful, erupts every three minutes, or so — there is no set cycle to the steam geyser eruptions.  c is arguably Iceland’s most beautiful waterfall.

Almannagjá is a gorge that defines the eastern edge of the North American tectonic plate where it meets the western edge of the European tectonic plate – a seven kilometers (xx miles) rift valley separates the two plates; tectonic activity has given rise to the dramatic landscape seen today; Selfoss, Iceland

fiingvellir National Park (Thingvellir National Park) was established in 1930 to protect the remains of the Albingi parliament site (930-1798).  The UNESCO-listed national park delivers spectacular scenery with mountains, grass covered lava fields, and Lake Thingvallavatn.  At the Silfra fissure there is crystal-clear water in the rift between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates (the geological fault is known as “Almannagjá”).

fiingvellir National Park (Thingvellir National Park), Selfoss, Iceland

A hot spring (no eruptions from this pool) at the Geysir geothermal area, Iceland

Strokkur, Iceland’s version of Old Faithful, erupts every three minutes, or so — there is no set cycle to the steam geyser eruptions, Iceland

A view of the entire Gullfoss waterfall (“like no other”) – “in wildness and fury it outdoes the Niagara Falls of the United States”, Iceland

Meaning “Golden Falls,” Gullfoss, the breathtaking waterfall in the Hvítá River (fed by the Langjökull glacier) awes all who watch its beauty and power. The water plunges into a rocky canyon where rainbows are often seen amid the falls.

Gullfoss waterfall, #2, Iceland

“Gullfoss is Like No Other” – ‘No waterfall in Europe can match Gullfoss.  In wildness and fury it outdoes the Niagara Falls of the United States.  Thousands of unharnessed horsepowers flow continuously into the gorge, year in and year out.’  – taken from a travel book by two Danes in the retinue of King Frederick VII after a visit to Gullfoss, 1907.  Gullfoss is a unique natural phenomenon that triggers varying impressions in people.  Its conservation, and thereby its existence in its present form, has a unique history.  Gullfoss and the surrounding area were made a nature reserve in 1979 to give people the best possible opportunity to enjoy this unique natural scene.  The area’s ecosystem is also protected, and its vegetation remains untouched.  Attempts are made to minimise man’s footprint, to keep man-made structures to a minimum and not to disturb the land and geological formations.” – sign at viewpoint overlooking Gullfoss waterfall

Gullfoss waterfall, #3, Iceland

Gullfoss waterfall, #4, Iceland

Legal Notices: All photographs copyright © 2019 by Richard C. Edwards. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.  Permission to link to this blog post is granted for educational and non-commercial purposes only.

Reykjavik, Iceland

The park in Old Reykjavik where this photo was taken contains a large statue of Jón Sigurdsson, leader of Iceland’s independence movement; Reykjavik, Iceland

 

Modern and traditional Icelandic architecture, striking cultural attractions, outdoor art installations, outstanding landscapes, and excellent restaurants, the thriving capital of Reykjavik offers a wealth of experiences to entice even the most discerning of travelers.  Walking around Reykjavik, visitors can discover the incredible murals by artists Guido van Helten and several Icelandic street artists scattered throughout the city.  They can also learn about Vikings and medieval times at the National Museum of Iceland and experience the country’s natural wonders by taking day trips into the countryside, particularly the all day drive around the Golden Circle [see our next blog post].

Iceland is about the size of the states of Kentucky or Maine in the United States with a population of only 357,000, of which 228,000 live in Reykjavik!  Unlike the Faroe Islands and Greenland, Iceland is very volcanically active [see our previous post, “Heimaey Island, Vestmannaeyjar, Iceland”].  Most people in the country live along the coast — the country has a 1,000 mile (1,600 km) coastline.  There is a lot of geothermal activity on the island and Reykjavik is heated by a government operated geothermal water system.

 

The Harpa Concert Hall, an architectural masterpiece with a façade made with 714 glass panels, each a different shape and equipped with LED lights, is the winner of the prestigious Mies van de Rohe Award; it is the home of the Icelandic Symphony Orchestra and the Icelandic Opera, among others; Reykjavik, Iceland

 

Downtown contemporary buildings with retail shops, Reykjavik, Iceland

 

Shops on the main shopping street in downtown Reykjavik, Iceland

 

Hallgrímskirkja (Church of Hallgrimur), a towering, white Lutheran church, is Reykjavik’s most striking landmark, Iceland

 

Hallgrímskirkja (Church of Hallgrimur), a towering, white Lutheran church, is Reykjavik’s most striking landmark.  The distinctive Nordic design, meant to resemble volcanic basalt rock formations, is the vision of former state architect Gudjon Samuelson and took several decades to construct.  The 5,275-pipe organ is the church’s most prominent feature along with an impressive statue of Icelandic explorer Leif Erikson, discoverer of Vinland, in the park in front of the church, a gift from the United States of America on the occasion of the 1,000 anniversary of the Althing (the national parliament of Iceland), 1930.

 

The striking front side and entrance to the Church of Hallgrimur, Reykjavik, Iceland

 

Pride colored stripes adorn the pavement of a small shopping street in downtown Reykjavik, Iceland

 

Another view of some of the shops in downtown Reykjavik, Iceland

 

In old Reykjavik, we were surprised by the modernity of the City Hall, Reykjavik, Iceland; inside is a large topographical map of the country, open to the public

 

The side of City Hall faces Lake Tjörnin (The Pond), Reykjavik, Iceland

 

From inside City Hall there is an entrance to a pedestrian bridge back across Lake Tjörnin to Old Reyjkavik, Reykjavik, Iceland

 

Three churches in Reykjavik, Iceland, overlooking Lake Tjörnin

 

Silica from the area of the Blue Lagoon (see next photograph), Reykjavik, Iceland

 

A dip in the warm, soothing waters of the Blue Lagoon is considered a “must do” for most visitors to Iceland.  Surrounded by a field of black lava, the mineral-richwaters in the man-made lagoon are heated to a very pleasant 100ºF / 38ºC by the adjacent geothermal plant.  With the air temperature much cooler than the water, silky curtains of steam rise from the lagoon, adding a mystical element to the experience.  The lagoon’s exfoliating mixture of fresh and sea water is a combination of mineral salts, blue-green algae, and silica mud,

 

“Bathers” (not swimmers) enjoying the thermal waters at the Blue Lagoon, Reykjavik, Iceland; our grandkids particularly liked having a refreshing cold drink from the bar while luxuriating in the warm water

 

Legal Notices: All photographs copyright © 2019 by Richard C. Edwards. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.  Permission to link to this blog post is granted for educational and non-commercial purposes only.