Iceland’s parliament, traditionally founded in 930 at Þingvellir, is called the Althing.
The Althing began as an outdoor national assembly where Icelandic chieftains and free men met to discuss laws and settle disputes. The law speaker recited much of Iceland’s law from memory, making the gathering both a legislative and judicial institution. Þingvellir, the original meeting site, is now a national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The medieval commonwealth ended in the 13th century when Iceland came under the Norwegian crown and later the Danish crown. The Althing was abolished in 1800, then re-established as a consultative body in 1845. Modern parliamentary powers developed after Iceland gained greater autonomy.
Althing is often described as one of the world’s oldest parliamentary institutions. Its uninterrupted modern form should not be confused with the uninterrupted existence of the original medieval assembly.