I am so proud to share my Icelandic heritage each day with travelers from around the world. After all, Viking history runs deep. The Icelandic Sagas, which serve as the main historical source of the Viking era in Scandinavia, are still a celebrated part of our modern culture. The Sagas gave us a peek into everyday life during Iceland’s Viking period, and they solidified storytelling as a touchstone of Icelandic culture.
We keep our memories and values alive through stories. And when you visit our farm, you are invited to become part of our stories yourself, as well as share some of your own that will be woven into the fabric of the tales our descendants will tell. This is one of the reasons that meeting over a dinner table after riding is so important to me – stories are what connect us to this land, so I love to exchange stories with each and every guest.
How lore connects to horse riding in Iceland
Efri-Úlfsstaðir, our farm, is located at the setting of Iceland’s most legendary Saga: BrennuNjáls Saga. Visiting our farm for horse riding in Iceland is a way to experience Icelandic lore first hand, and to retrace the paths of the Vikings. We honor our past and abundant heritage through everything, from our Nordic rune logo to the name of our farm.
Let’s take a look at some of the key players in Nordic lore, so we can get to know some of the stories that shape Iceland. This is just a brief snapshot to get you started in your research – after all, the full history of Nordic paganism is a rich, multifaceted fabric that goes back centuries!
Odin
Odin is considered the father of the gods. He is often portrayed as a wise, older man with a spear. He is also known as a magician and poet, with just one eye, the other having been sacrificed to gain wisdom.
Thor
Thor’s reputation precedes him. Thor is the son of Odin, and he is a great defender and associated with epic power. He is the god of thunder, freedom, and farmers – both a hero beyond measure and a protector of the humber every-person. Thor is known for carrying the hammer of Mjolnir.
Sleipnir
Born of Loki, Sleipnir is Odin’s trusty eight-legged horse who serves as a helping spirit to the powerful god. Shamans were said to ride the eight-legged horse as they traveled through the universe, seeking wisdom and doing epic deeds.
Loki
Loki, son of a Frost Giant, is a shapeshifter and is also known as a mischief maker. The gods have often questioned his loyalty, and in many instances throughout Nordic lore, Loki has sewn seeds of chaos in the gods’ lives. He is said to have set in motion Ragnarök, in which the valiant Odin was defeated.
Fenrir
Fenrir is the son of Loki and the giantess Angrboda. A powerful wolf, Fenrir is known for killingg Odin. The name of our farm, Efri-Úlfsstaðir, translates to Wolf’s Place as an ode to Fenrir’s unmatchable might. We found nothing more inspiring than naming our farm after the most powerful force in Valhalla!
And that’s just the beginning! If you have any questions, feel free to ask me more on our tour. I’d be happy to share the epic tales of Iceland’s history with you.
Yeah, tons of amazing experiences await you!
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