Located in North Iceland between Akureyri and Lake Myvatn, the picturesque Goðafoss or ‘Waterfall of the Gods’ is one of the most impressive in the country. Ice blue glacial water flows over an elegant semi-circular arc. It creates blue-green swirling patterns in the water below among the surrounding lava. Goðafoss waterfall is also a great setting for the photo enthusiast. It is especially a beautiful background for taking photos of the northern lights.
According to legend, in the year 1.000 AD Þorgeir Þorkelsson, chieftain and Alpingi law-speaker, returned from Þingvellir with the decision that Iceland would convert to Christianity. He ceremoniously disposed of Norse pagan idols into the falls.
How high is Goðafoss waterfall?
The water in Skjálfandafljót river falls 12 metres in Goðafoss waterfall. The river has its origin in the Icelandic Highlands, running north through Barðárdalur valley.
The story of Þorgeir Þorkelsson
Goðafoss plays a role in Íslendingabók (Book of the Icelanders), a Viking-age Saga written by Ári Þorgilsson in the early 12th century. When Christianity came to Iceland, it divided the people into Christians and the Old Norse way. Icelanders who wished to keep venerating the old Norse gods did not want to be baptised, and the country was on a brink of a civil war.
At the999 AD Alþing session, the two groups came armed to the teeth. Both groups finally agreed to let the Law Speaker Þorgeir Þorkelsson settle the dispute. Þorkelsson was a part of the group that venerated the old Norse gods, but both parties trusted him and believed he was a fair and honourable man.
During the Viking age, personal honour was very important. Every person man was measured by his or her honour, and honourable people were highly respected. Therefore, the Christians didn’t have a huge problem with having a devout believer in the Norse gods settle the dispute,
After pondering for three days, Þorkelsson announced that the Iceland should be Christian, but worship of the Norse gods was not forbidden so long as people venerated them in in their own home. People could still hold a blót (pagan festival) and eat horse meat. This decree was very wise, since it settled the matter without antagonising either group.
According to local folklore, Þorkelsson returned home to his farm at Ljósavatn, which was close to Goðafoss waterfall. He removed the statues of Norse gods from his family temple. He took these idols and threw them into the waterfall. This supposedly angered the gods, so they split the waterfall in two.
