Lögberg

A site of the Icelandic parliament before 1300s.

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]

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

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  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.