- Culture -
Reykholt is one of the most important historical places in Iceland and a cultural centre for centuries. Here was the home of Snorri Sturluson, the chieftain and historian, from 1206 until 1241, when he was slain by his enemies. Snorri Sturluson was Iceland’s greatest Saga writer as well as being an author and a great scholar. His most renowned works are Snorra-Edda and Heimskringla (The Orb of The World; Orbis Terrarum). "Snorralaug", a thermal pool at the farm of Reykholt where Snorri used to bathe, has been restored and so has a tunnel he used to reach the pool from his residence. Reykholt has been a school centre for decades and a Snorri museum has been established there. There are many hot springs at Reykholt and Valley Reykholt is the largest low temperature area of the country. Deildartunguhver, a wonder in itself, is the largest hotspring in Europe. Spectacular waterfalls are in the vicinity and the rivers offer salmon fishing. Reykholt is also an information centre for tourists.
The nearby Husafell is in one of Iceland’s few woodlands and is therefore popular among the natives. Enroute are Hraunfossar and Barnafoss waterfalls, where nature seems to have been playing at wonders. Daily tours on the glacier Langjokull and to Surtshellir, one of Iceland’s largest lava caves, are operated in the area.