Back from Iceland pt2

[JemC]

A few more from my recent trip,

#1
HOF Church
(Information courtesy of amusingPlanet)

Hof, is a little cute village in southeast Iceland, approximately 30 kilometers east of Vatnajökull, and 20 kilometers south of the Skaftafell National Park. Like many Icelandic villages, houses here are roofed with turf, a practice that developed in Northern Europe as early as the Iron age. In order to protect themselves and their livestock from the harsh climate, the settlers constructed shelters using the trees to provide a framework and covering the frame with turf. Near the end of the 18th century, a new style developed with the ends of the buildings made of wood and the turf covering the sides and roofs. Some of these buildings have survived to present times. The Hofskirkja Church is one such building.

Hofskirkja Church, dedicated to saint Clement, was built in 1884, and was the last turf church built in the old architectural style. Its walls are thick and assembled of rocks to give stability as well as insulation, an important element to consider in the Icelandic climate. The roof is made of stone slabs and covered in turf. It is one of six churches in Iceland still standing, which are preserved as historical monuments. Records say that the church was built by the carpenter Páll Pálsson, while the lock and hinges of the church door were made by Þorsteinn Gissurarson, who was a well-known blacksmith from Hof.

The church is maintained by the National Museum but also serves as a parish church.

Building turf houses was widespread in Iceland where turf was used on houses of both the poor and the wealthy, and on all types of houses - homes, stables, and churches. In the 20th century this changed dramatically, as fewer and fewer turf-houses were being built. Now at the start of the 21st century, only a few craftsmen practice the trade, and the knowledge is being passed on mainly through the heritage sector.



#2
The base of Öxarárfoss Waterfall

Öxarárfoss is a small(20 meters) waterfall in Þingvellir National Park, Iceland. It flows from the river Öxará over the Almannagjá and falls into the rift in between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. The pool at the base of the waterfall is filled with rocks and is often very icy in winter.
The waterfall is one of the main attractions of Þingvellir National Park and there is a path from the nearby car park leading up to it.



#3
Drekkingarhylur (Drowning Pool).

from 1602 to 1750, this was the last thing at least 18 women saw before being executed here at the Drekkingarhylur (Drowning Pool).

This dark era began with Iceland’s Reformation and the Great Edict of 1564’s harsh penalties for moral offenses. By this time, the Althingi mostly served as a court under the Danish crown. Even though enforcement moved from religious to secular authorities over the next century, these leaders also believed that blood was the only way to cleanse a society’s deep sins. Of course, it offered an easy deterrent and vivid spectacle as well.

Thieves, the lowest of criminals, were usually beheaded. Women convicted of incest and other fornication were drowned, and their male counterparts were beheaded. Others received the same for committing infanticide to conceal a child’s birth. Those brought in for witchcraft and magic were burned at the stake.



Thanks for looking,

[madcrow]

Three great images. #3 dark like the story. Turf house looks amazing.

[Shadowman]

Nice images and background info of the area.

[Wavelength]

Very nice images

[NorthernFocus]

James, you did quite well with the lens that you had available to you. The waterfall shot is a good example that sometimes focusing on details can be as or more compelling than trying to capture the grandeur(often difficult to do). Nicely done.

[Mike Buckley]

Great narrative and very appealing photos, especially the two monochromes. A great three-dimensional feeling in both of them. Using the tree to frame the turf church works perfectly. Consider toning down the bright building in the distance in the first one so it's not too much of a distraction.

Your photo makes me wish I hadn't stopped at Hof; I drove right by it.

[bnnrcn]

Very nice images James, I love the B&Ws. The color image is a bit dark but a very nice composition. Also interesting stories. Thanks for sharing

[IzzieK]

These are great images, James...but I kinda like #1 to be coloured as I have to google what turf houses means as I had seen them but once a long time ago. Not keen on long exposure water in #2 but I like #3 the best. Good job on the processing, too.