The Alþingi is Iceland's parliament. It's the world's oldest surviving parliament.
It was set up following previous disputes were settled, in 930AD.
A location close to the largest population centres was chosen, around 45 miles to the east of the capital.
Along the rift, there is a natural ampitheatre looked over originally by a protruding stone.
The Law Speaker (lögsögumadur) was the highest official of Althingi. His role included reciting the laws of Iceland at Alþingi, in the days before Iceland had a written language. He recited the laws of parliamentary procedure, chaired sessions of Lögrétta, and settled disputes. The Law Speaker is believed to have addressed the assembly from the Law Rock (Lögberg), which appears to have been where verdicts were announced, important speeches made, and where the assembly was formally opened and dissolved.
Its location is marked by the flagpole in the photo below.
I visited last in 2015, when it was raining. so here's a better image of the gorge taken in 2010
Image: Alan Parkinson
The country's MPs no longer conduct their business in the rift of course.
There is a newer Parliament building where the 63 MPs assemble.
Image: Val Vannet
It was set up following previous disputes were settled, in 930AD.
A location close to the largest population centres was chosen, around 45 miles to the east of the capital.
Along the rift, there is a natural ampitheatre looked over originally by a protruding stone.
The Law Speaker (lögsögumadur) was the highest official of Althingi. His role included reciting the laws of Iceland at Alþingi, in the days before Iceland had a written language. He recited the laws of parliamentary procedure, chaired sessions of Lögrétta, and settled disputes. The Law Speaker is believed to have addressed the assembly from the Law Rock (Lögberg), which appears to have been where verdicts were announced, important speeches made, and where the assembly was formally opened and dissolved.
Its location is marked by the flagpole in the photo below.
I visited last in 2015, when it was raining. so here's a better image of the gorge taken in 2010
Image: Alan Parkinson
The country's MPs no longer conduct their business in the rift of course.
There is a newer Parliament building where the 63 MPs assemble.
Image: Val Vannet
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