Selfoss, Geyser, Tomato lunch, Gullfoss

Sigridur Tomasdottir (1874 -1957) was born in Brattholt farm near Gullfoss and had no formal education. However she learned to read and draw beautiful pictures of wildlife. She and her sisters guided visitors around the waterfall. She grew up to be an activist who helped save Gullfoss from developers who wanted to build a power station to supply electricity to a large part of Iceland. She was the daughter of the original farm owner. His land contained half of the Gullfoss waterfall . Her father refused to sell to the developer but eventually was tricked into the sale of his property. Sigridur worked huge hours and tirelessly to stop this project from going ahead. We have her and her helpers to thank for saving the majestic waterfall from destruction. She is subsequently known as the first environmentalist in Iceland.Read more