STOKKSEYRI AND THE RETURN. LIFE BETWEEN ISLAND AND MAINLAND
For thousands of evacuated islanders, the eruption did not end when the lava cooled. What followed was a life meant to be temporary – one that lasted for months, sometimes years.One of the places that received evacuees was Stokkseyri, a small, quiet fishing village on Iceland’s south coast.A Temporary HomeThe state disaster fund imported hundreds […]
VESTMANNAEYJAR 1973: THE ERUPTION THAT CHANGED AN ISLAND
On the night of January 22-23, 1973, the residents of Vestmannaeyjar woke to a world literally breaking apart. A long fissure opened in the ground at the edge of the town of Heimaey, sending fountains of lava into the air. The eruption of the volcano Eldfell began without warning-only a few hundred meters from people’s […]
GULLFOSS – THE WATERFALL SAVED BY ONE WOMAN’S DETERMINATION
Gullfoss is one of the most recognizable symbols of Icelandic nature and ranks among Europe’s most powerful waterfalls. Located on the Golden Circle route, it captivates not only with its scale and raw beauty but also with the extraordinary story of the fight to preserve it in its natural state. Hvítá River WaterfallGullfoss formed on […]
SROKKUR – A VISIBLE RHYTHM OF ICELANDIC GEOTHERMAL POWER
Strokkur is not the largest geyser in Iceland, nor the most powerful, but it is one of the clearest examples of how an active geothermal system works in real time. Its strength lies in regularity. Instead of a rare, unpredictable event, Strokkur offers a repeating process that can be observed again and again, almost like […]
ÞINGVELLIR – THE NATIONAL PARK ON THE EDGE OF CONTINENTS
Þingvellir National Park (also spelled Thingvellir in English) is one of Iceland’s most important sites – not only for its natural beauty but also for its historical and cultural significance. Located about 40 km east of Reykjavík, it stretches across a wide rift valley marking the boundary between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. This is […]
THINGS YOU MUST KNOW BEFORE VISITING SELFOSS
Selfoss is a key town in southern Iceland and an ideal base for exploring the Golden Circle and South Coast. Located along the mighty Ölfusá River, it blends authentic local culture with excellent connectivity. 1. Capital of the Ölfus Region Selfoss serves as the main administrative, commercial, and service hub for the Ölfus region. Roads […]
ICELAND’S VOLCANOES – AN OMNIPRESENT FORCE OF NATURE EMBEDDED IN THE LANDSCAPE
Iceland is one of the most volcanically active places on Earth. Its unique location stems from its location directly on the boundary of two tectonic plates – the North American and Eurasian – which are constantly moving apart. Furthermore, beneath the island lies a so-called magma hotspot, which makes volcanic activity not only frequent but […]
ICELANDIC MUSIC – THE RHYTHM OF NATIONAL IDENTITY
Music in Iceland is more than just art – it’s an expression of national identity, a way of communicating with history and nature, and a language of emotion for the inhabitants of this island nation. From a young age, Icelanders are immersed in sound – traditional songs are sung in homes, children are taught to […]
CHRISTMAS BOOK TRADITION – ICELAND’S EXTRAORDINARY READING CULTURE
While Iceland is known for its rugged landscapes, volcanoes, and northern lights, it also has another, less obvious characteristic: it’s one of the most “reading” countries in the world. Literature holds a special place in everyday life here, and Christmas becomes a true celebration of… books. Jólabókaflóð – or “Christmas Book Stream” One of the […]
CHRISTMAS IN ICELAND – TRADITIONS, LEGENDS, AND 13 EXTRAORDINARY “SANTAS”
Christmas in Iceland has a truly unique character, blending Christianity with deeply rooted folk traditions. The long winter nights, cold winds, and rugged landscapes have filled Icelandic Christmas tales with magic, humor, and a touch of darkness. The most recognizable figures of this festive season are the Jólasveinar – the 13 Yule Lads, often compared to Santa […]