Borgarvirki lies between Vesturhóp and Víðidalur in the north of Iceland

Iceland

Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...

, and at 177m above sea level it dominates the surrounding region. Made out of basalt strata, it has been used as a fortress for centuries. Borgarvirki is a natural phenomenon, altered by humans in earlier centuries. In 1949, the main entrance was renovated by workers.

Borgarvirki is a volcanic plug

Volcanic plug

A volcanic plug, also called a volcanic neck or lava neck, is a volcanic landform created when magma hardens within a vent on an active volcano. When forming, a plug can cause an extreme build-up of pressure if volatile-charged magma is trapped beneath it, and this can sometimes lead to an...

 (gosstapi), and the Icelandic sagas mention that in earlier centuries it was used for military purposes. Upon the fortress is a viewing dial.

It is accessible to visitors travelling around the peninsula of Vatnsnes

Vatnsnes

Vatnsnes is a peninsula in Iceland. It is home to one of the largest seal colonies in Iceland. Examples of such places are Hindisvík and Ósar. Seals have been protected for many years in Hindisvík. A stone hut was built at Ósar on the eastern side of the peninsula for seal watching.Visitors...

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External links

• - Pictures from Borgarvirki www.islandsmyndir.is