Drekkingarhylur

Drekkingarhylur pool is a beautiful one that is situated underneath the waterfalls on the Öxará. Despite its scenic beauty, this drowning pool is also a part of the gruesome history.

Located in the heart of Thingvellir National Park, Drekkingarhylur is a deep pool in the river, by the bridge over the river Öxará. If you are exploring the Almannagjá trail that leads to North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, Drekkingarhylur is not hard to find.

Drekkingarhylur, Iceland is about 50 minutes away from the capital city of Reykjavik and is accessible through the Thingvellir National Park. This deep pool is not too far from the gorgeous lake-to-lake river, Öxará. Take on the Lögberg - Drekkingarhylur 1.6kms long trail, which will take you about 36 minutes to complete to get to the drowning pool.

Drekkingarhylur or drowning pool has a very dark history. This was an execution site in which women were drowned. The assembly that gathered at the national park ruled the death penalty to at least 18 women, who according to them had brought shame to their families and society. Drowning women at Drekkingarhylur was not a custom; it was a punishment that was decided by the parliament that gathered for adultery, incest, and infanticide. The last woman was drowned here in 1739. For the same offenses, men were ruled to be beheaded.

During the years 872 to 1262, there were no death sentences carried out. As the German influence grew through reformation, Stóridómur came into being in 1565. Due to the implementation of this law agreement, there was a drastic rise in the death sentences to reduce immorality and lewdness. The first woman who drowned in Drekkingarhylur was sentenced to death for perjury in 1590. Women who were to be drowned under the death penalty had been forced into a bag, which was put over their heads. They were then pushed into Drekkingarhylur and held down with a stick until they were declared dead with no movement.

Drekkingarhylur, situated within the premises of Thingvellir National Park has numerous attractions to see and experience. Some of the most interesting and picturesque places to visit near this deep pool include the Glymur Waterfall, Öxarárfoss, Þingvallavatn rift valley lake, Almannagjá and Þingvallakirkja (Þingvellir church).