Rain doesn't deter tourists from visiting Þingvellir

Tourists at Öxarárfoss at Þingvellir.

Tourists at Öxarárfoss at Þingvellir. Mbl.is/ Eggert Jóhannesson

Þingvellir, the historic site of Europe's first parliament, or althing, is also one of the most magnificent areas of natural beauty in Iceland. Thousands of tourists visit Þingvellir every year. 

It's also the place where the tectonic plates of North American and Eurasian tectonic plates come together in a unique way, which you can also see by the numerous crevasses that form the landscape. 

<span class="picRight">No single place epitomizes the history of Iceland and the Icelandic nation better than Þingvellir by the river Öxará. </span><span class="picRight">At Þingvellir - literally "Parliament Plains" - the Alþing general assembly was established around 930 and continued to convene there until 1798. Major events in the history of Iceland have taken place at Þingvellir and therefore the place is held in high esteem by all Icelanders.</span><p>Today Þingvellir is a protected national shrine. </p>

The weather, however, was not so fantastic yesterday when Morgunblaðið photographer Eggert Jóhannesson passed by. These patient tourists were happy to stand in line in the rain to pay for their parking. 

Tourists waiting in the line for the parking meter.

Tourists waiting in the line for the parking meter. mbl.is/Eggert Jóhannesson

Eggert Jóhannesson

Tourists walking in Almannagjá, a famous crevasse.

Tourists walking in Almannagjá, a famous crevasse. Eggert Jóhannesson

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