The Dimmuborgir lava fields may look like the remnants of a lost civilisation. In fact, they are 100% natural, created when the lava from an erupting volcano mixed with cold Icelandic waters of a lake nearby. The rising vapour formed the lava into the pillars, craters and hollows we see today.
These twisting black towers have provided many stories through the centuries. Icelandic folklore tells of the troll Grýla, who made her home in the black rocks. In winter, her sons would give presents to children who had been good. Those who had misbehaved would find their shoes had been filled with rotten potatoes. Nordic Christian myth says this site is an entrance to the underworld; the very spot where Lucifer landed after his fall from heaven. The stories continue to this day, as Dimmuborgir was used as a filming location for the HBO series Game of Thrones.
With legends lurking around every corner, what will you see when you visit Iceland’s “dark castles”?
Getting There
G Adventures runs a number of departures to Iceland encompassing a wide range of departure dates and activities to cater for different tastes. We’re thrilled at the prospect of showing you this big blue planet of ours — check out our small group trips here.