Environmental Award 2024 to Þrístapar historical site

On December 23, it was announced that the municipality of Húnabyggð will receive the 2024 Environmental Award from the Icelandic Tourist Board. The award recognizes its efforts in developing Þrístapar historical site.

Þrístapar is an interesting cultural and historical tourist site, located in the western part of Vatndalshólar in North Iceland, right next to the man road (Road 1). Along the road lies Iceland's last execution site. The execution took place on January 12, 1830, when Agnes Magnúsdóttir and Friðrik Sigurðsson were beheaded. The story has been a popular subject in both novels and films.

Þrístapar has been made accessible and safe for tourists to experience and learn about its history. Development has been ongoing for some time, including the establishment of walking paths, informational and educational signage, parking facilities, and restrooms.

The landscape and weather are a significant part of the experience. Visitors follow a walking path to the execution site, thus tracing the footsteps of history. Meticulously crafted stonework and thoughtfully presented educational materials frame the area. There are few physical remnants of the execution at the site, but this is offset by the successful creation of a certain poetic atmosphere in the space itself. A memorial stone is located at the execution site, while the axe is preserved at the National Museum of Iceland.

Environmental Award since 1995

The Environmental Award of the Icelandic Tourist Board is intended as both an encouragement and a reminder to those involved in tourism to carefully consider the environment in all planning and execution. The award has been presented annually since 1995, making this the 30th time it has been awarded.

This is the eighth time the award has been given for a project supported by the Tourist Site Protection Fund that serves as a model. This means the project has been completed, the fund's rules have been followed, and it aligns with the fund's emphasis on sustainable development, design quality, and planning standards.