Kirkjan, the Church, in Dimmuborgir
by RicardMN Photography
Title
Kirkjan, the Church, in Dimmuborgir
Artist
RicardMN Photography
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Photograph
Description
Dimmuborgir, or the Black Fortress, is a dramatic expanse of lava in the Lake Mývatn area, in Iceland.
Dimmuborgir was formed in an eruption that occurred in the area 2,300 years ago; the Lake Mývatn area is highly volcanic, as can be further seen in nearby locations such as the geothermal Námaskarð Pass, the hot spring cave Grjótagjá, and the dramatic Krafla fissure.
As lava flowed across the area, it passed over a lake, causing it to boil. This both quickened the cooling of the lava and caused pillars of steam to shatter parts of it. After it solidified, Dimmuborgir area became defined by large stacks of rock and many caves and caverns, caused by bubbles of intense steam.
One of the routes, which is called Kirkjuhringurinn - the Church route leads to Kirkjan - the Church. It is 2.4 km and takes around 1 hour to complete. This path takes you through extraordinary tall lava formations for half an hour until you reach the so-called church. The sign says Kirkja - this is the best-known lava formation here.
If you walk up the steps to the church you will notice that it is a cave open in both ends with a high-dome shaped roof. It looks like it is man-made, but it is actually a lava cave, which looks a little like a Gothic church.
During the Christianisation of Iceland, Dimmuborgir developed a new set of tales. Many began to believe, due to its starkness, that it was where Satan landed when cast from heaven, and where he created the catacombs to hell.
Dimmuborgir recently saw a surge in popularity, as it was featured on HBO’s Game of Thrones. In the series, it is where Mance Raider held his wildling army. It was shot here in winter.
The popular Norwegian black metal band Dimmu Borgir is also named after the area. (Description from guidetoiceland.is)
Uploaded
March 3rd, 2021
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