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Helgu­staða­náma

Helgustaðanáma is one of the world’s most renowned Iceland spar mines, where Iceland spar, a transparent variety of calcite, was extracted from the seventeenth century through to the first half of the twentieth century. The English name for silfurberg is Iceland spar, and the mineral is named after Iceland in numerous languages.

Access and Information

Access to Helgustaðanáma is via Route 954, where visitors will find a parking area and restroom facilities, open during the summer season. From the parking area, a trail leads to the site and then divides into two paths, each leading to one of the mine entrances.

The conservation value of the area lies in its geological heritage, which includes geological features of national and international significance. The natural monument is one of the world’s most important localities for Iceland spar.

Rangers in East Iceland are responsible for monitoring and managing the area.

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3D Tour of Helgustaðanáma

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Protection Status

Helgustaðanáma was designated a natural monument in 1975. The protected area covers 0.9 hectares.

The objective of the protection designation at Helgustaðanáma is to preserve and maintain the natural condition of the area, with particular emphasis on the geological strata rich in Iceland spar.

As noted above, Helgustaðanáma is protected as a natural monument and is therefore classified as an IUCN Category III protected area, according to the classification system of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

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