Skálholt, Iceland
A historic settlement that has been the cultural and religious center for 700 years. It has been one of the two Catholic bishoprics, which governed the Icelanders prior to the Reformation. In the 18th century, the original cathedral was taken apart. The current church, built in 1963, has beautiful artwork and you can learn more about the place's interesting history of beheadings and executions. Skálholt is located near Laugarvatn in southern Iceland.
Snorri's Pool at Reykholt – Reykholt was the home of the Viking historian Snorri Sturluson, a famous writer, who composed many of his works here. In 1241, the early years of Iceland's saga age, he was assassinated in Reykholt by his political enemy, Gissur Þorvaldsson.
Today, the town is home to a large religious center and the Snorrstofa museum, which is devoted to Sturluson. Beside the town's schoolhouse is Snorralaug (Snorri's pool), a round pool about 13 feet (4 m) in diameter, which is fed by a hot spring. Go behind the pool and you'll come across a path believed to lead to the cellar, where Sturluson was murdered. Reykholt is located west of Borgarnes.