Laugarvatn
The lake and village where Goðar (chieftains) camped on their journey to the Alþingi at Þingvellir, and where Iceland's Christian baptisms first took place.
About
About Laugarvatn
The lake and village where Goðar (chieftains) camped on their journey to the Alþingi at Þingvellir, and where Iceland's Christian baptisms first took place.
Tours Near Laugarvatn
DT 322 Private Superjeep South Coast & Eyjafjallajökull Volcano Sights
Superjeep · 8 hours
South Coast Waterfalls, Glacier & Black Sand Beach Tour
BusTravel Iceland · 10 hours
South Coast Small Group Tour: Waterfalls, Glacier & Black Sand Beach
BusTravel Iceland · 10 hours
South Coast Waterfalls, Black Beach and Glacier Adventure | Small Group Day Tour
Nicetravel · 11 hours
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Gallery
Folklore
Story & Folklore
Laugarvatn — 'Hot Spring Lake' — holds a unique dual significance in Iceland's history. On the route between the south and Þingvellir, it became a traditional rest stop for chieftains travelling to the Alþingi parliament. After Iceland's conversion to Christianity in 1000 AD, pagans who refused to be baptised were brought here to be immersed in the geothermal lake — deeming it warmer and less barbaric than the icy rivers elsewhere. The natural geothermal springs here gave rise to the modern Laugarvatn Fontana baths. The village today sits serenely at the lake's edge, its hot spring steam still rising as it has for over a thousand years.
Did You Know?
Many modern hiking routes still follow paths first used by Viking settlers more than 1,000 years ago.
Location
Location
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