- Address: Kirkjutorg, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland;
- Official page: althingi.is;
- Phone: +354 563 0500;
- Operating time: Mon. - Th. from 8:00 to 19:00, Fri. from 8:00 to 17:00, Sat, Sun. - closed.
Surely, many of us have heard such a name as the Althingi Parliament. This raises the question: in what country is it located? It is located in Iceland , which is considered the first European country in which it has its own parliament.
Parliament Althing - history of creation
The date of formation of the Parliament of Iceland is considered June 23, 930. This country is characterized by a special way of development because of the fact that the island is located separately from the European continent. Due to the special geographical and climatic factors, Iceland was not affected by the Roman conquests and barbarian invasions.
For a long time tribal democracy remained in the country. It was required to regularly organize meetings at which various state issues were discussed. Thanks to this in Iceland, the Althing Parliament arose earlier than in the whole of Europe. Literally the name "Althing" is translated from Icelandic as a "general meeting". Initially, not only laws were enacted in the parliament, but he also performed a judicial function: he dealt with various disputes. In 1000 on Althinga by the majority of votes it was decided to accept Christianity.
The location of Alting's parliament in those days was the lava valley of the Tingvellir , which is located at a distance of 40 km from Reykjavik . There meetings were held until 1799. From this period, the assembly was stopped, and they were resumed only 45 years later.
In the valley of Tingvellir there is the largest lake in Iceland, called Tingvallavatn, on the edge of which stands the cliff of Lochberg. In translation from Icelandic, its name means "rock of law". It is closely connected with the history of the Althingi Parliament, since it was from this place that the laws were read and speeches were made. In 1944, an important decision was made here, such as the proclamation of Iceland's independence from Denmark.
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Althingi Parliament Building
At present, the majestic building of the Althingi Parliament is located in the center of the capital Reykjavik on the Eysturvetjaur Square. The meetings have been held here since 1844. The building belongs to one of the most important sights of Iceland, which tourists simply can not ignore.
Parliament is a two-storey building, as a building for it was used gray brick. A special comfort is given to the windows of a semicircular shape. The building is decorated with bas-reliefs of spirits, which are considered patrons of Iceland - it is an eagle, a dragon, a bull and a giant with a club. The same symbols are also found on the arms of the country.
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When Alting Parliament celebrated its 1000th anniversary, the United States presented a gift - a statue of Leif Eriksson, who is considered the Icelandic pioneer of America. He was a navigator who visited North America five hundred years before Christopher Columbus got there.
In 1881, there was another significant event in the history of Icelandic architecture - the erection of a separate parliament building, called Altinghis. The building belongs to one of the oldest stone buildings in the country.
How to get there?
Thanks to the fact that Alting Parliament is located on the central square of the Eysturvetjaur Square, it is easy to get to it. When you visit the capital of Iceland, Reykjavik travelers are necessarily acquainted with this architectural landmark.
If you want to visit the valley of the Tingvellir , where Alting Parliament originally was, you can reach it by car or bus coming from Reykjavik. The terminal from which buses depart is located in the center of the capital. But it should be borne in mind that the route works only in the summer season. If you decide to go by car, you will need to move along Route 1 through Mosfellsbaer. Then the path will follow the road number 35, which passes through Tingvellir.