Overview
About Godafoss waterfall
Form and protection
The waterfall consists of two main falls and several smaller channels, spread across roughly 30 metres. Its appearance changes with river flow, weather and season; the Environment Agency gives a height range of 9–17 metres. On the west bank, Hrútey is bounded by a river branch that separates upstream and rejoins downstream. The site received natural-monument protection in June 2020, including protection of its natural flow.
The story behind the name
According to folklore, the lawspeaker Þorgeir Ljósvetningagoði threw images of the Norse gods into the falls after mediating between pagan and Christian Icelanders and adopting Christianity. This story explains the familiar interpretation of Goðafoss as the waterfall of the gods. The account is a cultural tradition rather than direct archaeological evidence of an event at the waterfall.
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