Land of the Sagas

Land of the Sagas

Iceland's literary tradition goes back centuries. Between the 13th and 14th centuries, dozens of sagas were written about the heroic exploits of Icelanders from the time of the settlement. They are quasi-historical texts that were passed down orally from generation to generation before being written down.

The most famous sagas are the Saga of Burnt Njál, the Saga of Gréttir the Strong, and Egil's Saga. Icelandic sagas have influenced the works of many modern authors, including J.R.R. Tolkien and Philip Pullman. It is possible to visit many of the locations where sagas took place, which are scattered throughout the countryside. You can find copies of the sagas in virtually every Icelandic home, and they form an important part of the country's cultural heritage.