Department of Language Studies

The most water-rich spring in Europe

Deildartunguhver in Reykholtsdalur is the most water-rich hot spring in Europe. The hot spring is a clear example of the terrifying energy that lives in the earth, as the bubbling hot spring spews out about 180 liters of 100°C hot water per second. This natural resource has undoubtedly been used for washing and cooking for centuries, but 80 to 90 years ago, a 600-meter-long log was built to transport steam to the old house in Deildartungu. The steam could be used to heat the house and boil food in a steam pot, in addition to allowing residents to take a hot shower and sauna, which were considered unique amenities at the time. Deildartunguhver.

The land of Deildartunga has been owned by the same family for over 200 years, but before Deildartunguhver was expropriated by the Icelandic state, it was owned by Sigurbjörg Björnsdóttir (1886-1984). She was the mistress of Deildartungu for the longest time and ran a large household there. She knew well the healthful effects of the hot water on both body and soul. With Kraumi, Sigurbjörg's ideas have finally become a reality, and the public has been able to bathe in this healthy and mineral-rich water of Deildartunguhver.Deildartunguhver in Reykh.

The steam

This natural resource has undoubtedly been used for washing and cooking for centuries, but 80-90 years ago a log cabin was built that carried steam to the old house in Deildartunga about 600 meters away. It was used to heat the house, boil food in a steam pot, and residents could take hot showers and saunas, which can be considered unique amenities at the time.

The environment

Around 1941, the Víðigerði horticultural farm was built next to the hot spring and is still in full operation, growing tomatoes. Vegetable farming has also been practiced in the vicinity of the hot spring for decades, and water from it is used to heat the gardens.

Tongue-in-cheek comb

A special variety of the skollakambi (a type of skollakambi) grows near the hot spring. The skollakambi is not found anywhere else in the world, as far as we know. It is thanks to the protection of the skollakambi that Deildartunguhver was not built over when the hot spring was harnessed for the purpose of heating houses in Akranes and Borgarnes.