Situated atop a volcanic hotspot, Iceland is a brewing geothermal field abound with wondrous natural hot springs and geysers. And in the heart of the Reykjanes UNESCO Global Geopark, home to an infernal terrain filled with 100 different craters, lava fields, bird cliffs and high geothermal areas, lies Gunnuhver, Iceland’s largest hot spring. Although it’s pretty dangerous, Gunnuhver is all about wild, otherworldly sceneries and a mysterious legend.
About 20 meters (65 feet) wide, Gunnuhver is massive pool of violently boiling sea water, spewing cloudy steam at temperatures soaring over 3000C (5700F). The spectacular rugged rocks in myriad shades of orange and terracotta, peculiar minerals, and unusual vegetation surrounding the hot spring create a wonderfully surreal landscape.
Gunnuhver’s natural beauty is also steeped in a haunting local legend. Story goes that about 400 years ago, a woman named Gudrun “Gunna” lived on this peninsula in a small house owned by a lawyer named Vilhjalmur Jonsson. The locals suspected her of being a witch because of a mysterious pot in her house that was always brewing something. Unfortunately, when Gunna failed to pay her rent, Jonsson took away her cooking pot. Enraged with fury, Gunna starved herself to death.
During her funeral, the men who were carrying her coffin to the cemetery, realized that the coffin was oddly lighter. As the men were digging her grave, they heard Gunna’s specter scream “No need deep dig, no plans long to lie”. The next day, Jonsson was discovered dead, his body was bruised with broken bones. Gunna had got her revenge.
The angry poltergeist wasn’t content at that. Her hateful specter continued to haunt and terrorize everyone living in the peninsula. Frustrated, the locals sought the help of a priest who had an interesting solution to trap Gunna forever. The villagers under the priest’s advice, left a loose end from a ball of twin for the ghost to grab. Luckily, she did and was dragged along as the ball rolled into the hot spring, trapping her in it for eternity. Since then, the hot spring came to be known as Gunnuhver, or Gunn’s hot spring. Some believers of the legend claim that Gunna’s ghost never did fall into the infernal pit, but continues to hang on its edge.
Whether you believe in the legend or not, it’s hard to deny that it does add an interesting mystery to Gunnuhver.
How to visit?
Gunnuhver is part of the Reykjanes UNESCO Global Geopark located at about an hour away from Reykjavik. It can be safely accessed by visitors on two guided ramps maintained by the geopark. Visitors can enjoy an up-close-and-personal experience and see the steam oozing out of the hot spring and hear the rumbling noise of boiling water.
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Tags: Iceland
