Reykholt Snorri

West

Snorri Sturluson moved to Reykholt in 1206 and spent the rest of his life here — writing the Prose Edda, the Heimskringla histories of Norwegian kings, and likely Egil's Saga, while accumulating political enemies. He was assassinated in the farm cellar in 1241 on the orders of the Norwegian king. The farm is now the Snorrastofa cultural centre, holding exhibitions on Snorri's life and the turbulent Sturlung Age, with material in five languages including English. Behind the church, the circular stone pool Snorralaug is fed by a hot spring at roughly its medieval dimensions — about four meters across. Snorri built a tunnel from the farmhouse to the pool; the entrance is visible beside the spring, though access is restricted. Bathing has been prohibited since 1817, when the pool was designated a heritage site. The stonework is original medieval construction. Reykholt sits in Borgarfjörður, about 90 minutes east of Reykjavík. The Hraunfossar waterfalls and Deildartunguhver hot spring are nearby. Plan about an hour. Snorrastofa charges an entrance fee (adults around ISK 2,000).

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