Goðafoss is located along the main ring road at the junction with the Sprengisandur highland road in northern Iceland. The name Goðafoss means either waterfall of the gods or waterfall of the 'goði' (chieftain); such an interesting name comes from its fascinating history.
Goðafoss is the fourth largest river in Iceland and also one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the country, falling from a height of 12 metres over a width of 30 meters.
When Iceland was first settled in the 9th and 10th Centuries, the vast majority were Norwegians who followed the Old Norse religion, worshipping deities like Thor, Odin, Loki and Freya.
By 1000 AD, a lawspeaker and a priest (goði) of the Icelandic parliament, named Þorgeir Ljósvetningagoði, announced Christianity would be the official religion of Iceland, but pagans could practice in private.
To symbolise his decision, the priest returned home and threw all idols of the Old Gods into the waterfall, this waterfall was known as Goðafoss since then.
To have a close encounter with the waterfall, tourists can also go down to the riverside by the stairs, but the view is much better from the top.
