Take a Hike: Walking Through the Set of Burial Rites

When you walk close to the sea front at Illugastaðir Farm or near the Þrístapar Hills close to Vatnsdalshólar Hills there is not much in the environment suggesting it was the stage of murders and the last executions in Iceland. The numerous seals and birds of Illugastaðir are the main focus of one’s attention and the horses grazing near Þrístapar (Triple Hillocks) are more likely to raise your curiosity than the low hills themselves. However, once you hear the true story of Agnes and the other characters of the wonderfully written book Burial Rites by Hannah Kent, this area will transform and you will see it in a wholly different way.

A STORY COMES TO LIFE

As you walk around Illugastaðir, you might wonder where Agnes went to pour out her disappointment and anger when she found out that the 15-year old girl Sigríður had taken her place as mistress of the house as well as in the bed of Natan. Perhaps she walked to the oceanfront and saw the waves come in one after the other while the wind blew in her face and finally dried off the tears while she tried to swallow the bitter disappointment.

The last executions had been 40 years prior to the cold day on January 12, 1830 when Agnes and Friðrik were beheaded for the murder of Natan. They are both said to have shown remorse in their interviews with priests leading to the execution but that didn’t change the verdict.

SEE IT BEFORE IT BECOMES FAMOUS

The landscape around Þrístapar hasn’t changed much since 1830 so it is still possible to see roughly the same scenery as Agnes did in the last moments of her life. It was in the middle of the winter, so the snow could have covered most of the area and the sounds would have been from a raven and muffled sounds from the spectators.

Hannah Kent’s bestseller, Burial Rites, has been very well received and is said to be both realistic and very well written. Hannah spent a year in Skagafjörður in North Iceland as an exchange student, which is how she heard of this sad history. A Hollywood producer has bought the film rights, and preparations have started as Jennifer Lawrence has already been cast in the lead role. Filming will probably begin at the end of this year. Illugastaðir and Þrístapar might become world famous in the years to come.

Þrístapar and Illugastaðir are close to Route 1 (The Ring Road) in Húnavatnssýsla County in the northwestern region of Iceland. Close by is a popular seal colony and the famous Hvítserkur basalt stack that looks like a rhinoceros or dragon, depending on who you ask.

Try the Wapp A guided hike along these historic places is available in the Wapp – Walking app. Available for Android and iOS. Wapp – Walking app offers 260 guided walks in Iceland, from long Highland hikes to short city walks.