
The exact spot of the last execution in Iceland is marked by a small monument in Vatnsdalsholar in the North of Iceland. PIC Carolyn Whipple
I t´s been almost two hundred years since the last person was publicly executed in Iceland. Yet the matter has seldom been as much in the spotlight as now.
The honor for that publicity belongs to a young Australian author that has been getting rave reviews for her novel about the execution and the events that led to it in January 1830. Burial Rites by Hannah Kent has sold well and brought the world knowledge of the rather appalling state of law and order back in the day.
The site is found a short distance from the Ring Road
The book has awakened some interest from abroad about the incident and especially the fate of one Agnes Magnusdottir but she was put to death for aiding a man in killing and robbing two others in a nearby farm. Since a few of you have written to inquire about the site of the execution we feel obliged to write about it.
The site is found a short distance from the Ring Road in the North of Iceland. The valley in question is Vatnsdalur, Water valley, where one can find a small monument of the event as seen in the pic above. The same area is locally famous for very unusual mounds found in large numbers called Vatnsdalshólar,
Finding the spot will but take you a couple of minutes. Just turn into Vatnsdalur when driving the Ring Road and keep your eyes peeled for the small stone plaque.