Goðafoss

Goðafoss
Goðafoss seen from the Eastern bank in summer
Goðafoss in winter
Panorama of Goðafoss in November, 2007

The Goðafoss (Icelandic: waterfall of the gods or waterfall of the goði) is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Iceland. It is located in the Bárðardalur district of North-Central Iceland at the beginning of the Sprengisandur highland road. The water of the river Skjálfandafljót falls from a height of 12 meters over a width of 30 meters.[1]

In the year 999 or 1000 the Lawspeaker Þorgeir Ljósvetningagoði made Christianity the official religion of Iceland. After his conversion it is said that upon returning from the Alþingi, Þorgeir threw his statues of the Norse gods into the waterfall. Þorgeir's story is preserved in Ari Þorgilsson's Íslendingabók.

A window in the Cathedral of Akureyri (Akureyrarkirkja) illustrates this story.

MS Goðafoss, an Icelandic ship named after the waterfall, was carrying both freight and passengers. It was sunk by a German U-Boat in World War II, resulting in great loss of lives.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Andrew Evans (2011). Iceland. Bradt Travel Guides. ISBN 184162361X, 9781841623610. Page 365.

External links

Coordinates: 65°40′48″N 17°32′24″W / 65.68000°N 17.54000°W / 65.68000; -17.54000

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