Álfaborg

By Gunnar Birgisson

Photo Credit: Regína Hrönn Ragnarsdóttir; Guide to Iceland

You will notice there are a lot of rocks in Iceland. There are pebbles and boulders and cliffs and everything in between. The rocks frequently dominate the view, what with the lack of forests, not to mention cities.  

But not all rocks are the same. Honestly, it’s hard to tell the difference, but some of those cliffs, outcroppings and other rock formations are considered by Icelanders to be elf cities: Álfaborgir.  

Icelanders respect these urban clusters of elves. It's a respect that has been earned. Because the elves are known for fighting back. When a new road is planned through their communities, the elves are not averse to destroying construction equipment or causing surprising accidents. They thus send a message to the construction crews, planners, and engineers who are trying to destroy elfin homes for the sake of human progress. Indeed, on some occasions, the elves have caused enough damage to cause the rerouting of roads.  

How to characterize these elfin warriors? Frankly, I’m not on top of elf politics. The elves who strike back might be left-wing ecoterrorists fighting the capitalistic destruction of nature. Or perhaps they are right-wing recluses battling government overreach and intrusion. 

Or, more likely, they are otherwise placid people riled into NIMBYism by the forces of development. Perhaps the invisible little elves in these urban elf centers are simply carrying on with their lives, with all the urban squabbles and stresses that we have in our worlds, traffic jams, sports rivalries, nepotistic politics, etc.  Like Icelanders, perhaps the elves have their own contentious issues that everyone bickers about, such as the extravagant cost of the proposed new elf arts center or why the elf king’s sister was appointed to the urban planning commission despite her complete lack of qualifications.  

In recent years, there hasn’t been quite as much talk about elves striking back. Maybe we're not attacking the elf cities anymore. Or perhaps they're so tired of fighting us that they've moved up to the highlands, refugees in their own country, having given up on fighting the relentlessly materialistic Norse invaders. 

How can the elves resist us all, with our SUVs driving across the landscape, hydroelectric plants damming every river, and new hotels popping up across every vista? Do we leave these ancient elves with any peace and quiet?

I don't know. Iceland is full of mysteries. Just ask an elf—if you can find one.

Also see:

Hrönn Ragnarsdóttir, Regína. (@2015). “Álfaborg - the City of the Elves in Borgarfjörður-Eystri in East Iceland - Icelandic Folklore.” Guide to Iceland [website]. Retrieved from https://guidetoiceland.is/connect-with-locals/regina/alfaborg---the-city-of-the-hidden-people-in-east-iceland