The village is situated in the valley of the river Reykjadalsá, called Reykholtsdalur.Here lived in the Middle Ages one of the most important persons in Icelandic history: Snorri Sturluson. He was a famous poet and politician whose records of the Old Norse language and mythology of medieval Iceland are invaluable to modern scholars. He lived and died here. Remains of his farm and a bathroom with hot pot and a tunnel between the bath and the house can still be visited.Reykholt was at this time one of the intellectual centers of the island and had for many years one of the most important schools of the country. Today, the village has 60 inhabitants, a school centre and a library concentrating on the works of Snorri Sturluson. Archeologists are still working here and finding medieval remains. In the vicinity, Japanese scientists are doing research on the wonders of the aurora borealis.Not far from Reykholt, there are the lava waterfalls Hraunfossar, one of the most interesting natural wonders on the island. It is also possible to walk from there to the caves Surtshellir in the lava field Hallmundarhraun.

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