Lögberg

This article is about a site of the Icelandic parliament. For other uses, see Lögberg (disambiguation).

Lögberg (Icelandic pronunciation: [ˈlœɣˌpɛrk], Old Norse lǫgberg, Old Norse pronunciation: [ˈlɒɣˌberɣ]), or Law Rock, was a rocky outcrop in south west Iceland, at the location for the assembly of the country's Althing parliament. The original Althing was gathered at Þingvellir,^[1] an area of dramatic landscapes which was easily accessible from the populated areas of the south west.^[2]

The exact location of the Lögberg is unknown, because of the changing geography of the rift valley over 1000 years.^[3] Two possible locations have been identified in Þingvellir, one a flat ledge at the top of a slope named Hallurinn (currently marked by a flagpole), the other in the Almannagjá fault against a rock wall.^[1] A site in the Hestagjá ravine has been put forward as ideal.^[2]

The Lögberg was the place on which the Lawspeaker (Icelandic lögsögumaður [ˈlœɣˌsœːɣʏˌmaːðʏr̥], Old Norse: lǫgsǫgumaðr [lɒɣsɒɣʊmaðr̩]) took his seat as the presiding official of the assembly of the Althing. Speeches and announcements were made from the spot.^[3] Anyone attending could make their argument from the Lögberg. The gatherings were also convened and dissolved from it.^[1]

The Lögberg performed its purpose from the formation of the parliament in 930. It ceased to be used in 1262, when Iceland took allegiance to Norway.^[1]

Gallery

• 
  19th-century rendering of the Law Rock in Þingvellir
• 
  The site of the Law Rock in modern Þingvellir
• 
  Alþingi Lögberg aerial panorama, taken in June 2017
• 
  Detail view (2016)