Lögberg

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A 19th-century drawing of the Law Rock in Þingvellir.
A photo of the Law Rock in Þingvellir taken in 2016.

Lögberg, also named Law Rock, is a rocky area south west Iceland. It is where the local law making body (Althing parliament) meets. In older days, the parliament meets at Þingvellir.[1] Þingvellir was very easily accessible from the towns of the south west Ireland. The area landscape is very beautiful.[2]

Alþingi Lögberg photo taken from the air in June 2017

The exact location of the Lögberg is unknown. In 1000 years, the geography of the rift valley changes a lot.[3] Two possible locations have been identified in Þingvellir. One of them is a flat ledge on top of a slope named Hallurinn (currently marked by a flagpole). The other area is in the Almannagjá fault against a rock wall.[1] There is a proposal to make a place in the Hestagjá ravine the most idea location.[2]

The Lögberg was the place on which the Lawspeaker (lögsögumaður) took office as the chief official of Althing. Speeches and announcements were made from the spot.[3] Anyone attending could make their speech from the Lögberg. The parliament also starts and ends their gathering at the location.[1]

The Lögberg serves as the location for the parliament since 930 A.D. It was no longer used after 1262 A.D. In 1962, Iceland was controlled by Norway.[1]

References[change | change source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "The Law Rock: Lögberg". Thingvellir.is. Archived from the original on 2012-07-17. Retrieved 2012-09-12.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Short, William R. (24 March 2010). Icelanders in the Viking Age. ISBN 9780786456079. Retrieved 2019-01-03.
  3. 3.0 3.1 Short, William R. (2010). Icelanders in the Viking Age: The People of the Sagas. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company. pp. 26–27. ISBN 9780786456079.