Iceland’s unique history has created an extraordinary culture, with modern vibrancy wrapped up in centuries-old Norse tradition. Nowhere more exemplifies this distinctive cultural heritage than Idavellir, a new centre for Norse Studies recently opened in the town of Hveragerdi, near Reykjavik.
Idavellir features among other delights an image of the remarkable ‘World Tree,’ the Ash of Yggdrasill. Depicting three wells – that of wisdom, fate and rot – the tree is intended as a warning of human frailty, and makes for a dramatic visual experience. The centre also houses a series of tapestries, which tell the tale of a very Norse interpretation of the beginning of the Earth, including Thor killing giants in their dozens.
Iceland has contributed a remarkable amount to the cultural world over the centuries, considering the isolated location and small size of the North Atlantic island. Today we may think of the seminal musicians Bjork and Sigur Ros, but the medieval Icelandic sagas are widely considered to be among the most important texts in the formation of what we now would consider literature. Njal’s Saga, in particular, is an epic to rival anything produced anywhere in the world.
As you might expect, Iceland’s other-worldly scenery has led to many a tale of equally fantastical occurrences – none more so than the ‘trolls’ that are said to inhabit Iceland.
Intrigued? Visit Iceland and see for yourself...
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