Selfoss is a cultural hub in the southwest. The same geological forces that threaten the town, however, also provide opportunity for it, as the activity in the area means that the greenhouse industry has flourished. In 2008, an earthquake struck the town, damaging roads and buildings, killing a number of sheep, and injuring 30 people. More recently, it has become seen as a desirable place to move for those who want to escape the stresses of city living or raise a family closer to the nature. Its exponential growth over the next decades came from the rise in trade due to the bridge, and the establishment of a large dairy farm and local store which needed employees. The town was small at the beginning of the 20th Century with just around 40 inhabitants. This bridge was so important to the country’s infrastructure and economy that is was guarded by British troops in World War Two, after the Allies invaded Iceland following the fall of its colonial ruler, Denmark, to the Nazis. More commerce came to the region in 1891, when a suspension bridge was built over the river Olfusa, connecting the agricultural south to the capital. However, it was not permanently settled, according to the Book of Settlements, until just after 1000 AD.īeing inland, Selfoss was an agricultural centre, at a time when most economic centres were the fishing towns (the coastline is 15 kilometres, or nine miles, away). Fríðheimar is often visited alongside a sightseeing tour around these, and can be combined with an array of other nearby locations for a full day out.Records of the lands near Selfoss date back to the first man to permanently move to Iceland, Ingólfur Arnarson it was said he spent the winter of 873 to 874 AD here, beneath the mountain that overlooks the town, Ingólfsfjall. ![]() Þingvellir National Park, Gullfoss Waterfall and the Geysir Geothermal Area are all renowned for their beauty, accessibility to Reykjavík, and proximity to each other. The most famous and significant of these are no doubt those on the Golden Circle. Sites around Fríðheimarįríðheimar’s position in south Iceland means it is surrounded by an array of popular sites. This is said to be because when early settlers arrived, they could only take their very best animals, and the resulting animals are from their descendants alone. It is smaller and sturdier than most others, and also notably more intelligent and social. This breed of horse has other unique qualities, however. This makes them very popular in dressage. While most horses in the world only have four gaits – or ways of walking – these have five, being able to perform the tölt. Icelandic horses are famously a very special breed. The horses on site are used to put on shows that are fun for the whole family. Horses at Fríðheimarįríðheimar breeds Icelandic horses and has six first-prize broodmares. Visitors can tour these greenhouses, learning about this ground-breaking agricultural technique whilst tasting the produce available. Now, much of the produce sold in stores in homegrown, and many of the tomatoes from Fríðheimar. This all changed when geothermal energy was used to power greenhouses. Iceland, for centuries, had access to few fruits and vegetables, and usually only ate them over Christmas. This allows for natural hot springs, such as at Reykjadalur, for spa facilities at the nearby towns of Flúðir and Laugarvatn, and for the greenhouses at Fríðheimar flourish throughout the year. Photo above from Golden Circle Minibus Tour With Visit to Fridheimar & Kerid Crater Lakeĭue to the geothermal activity in South Iceland, there is boiling water just beneath the surface of the ground. In particular, this Golden Circle tour with lunch at Fridheimar is an ideal option. Visit this lovely farm on a Golden Circle tour. ![]() Fríðheimar is a visitor-friendly tomato farm in South Iceland, renowned for its fresh produce, horse-breeding programme, and for the horse-shows that it puts on in fourteen languages.
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