North of Hafnarfjörður town and just across the Skerjafjörður fjord is a modest group of white, red-roofed buildings. They are Bessastaðir, the official residence of the president of Iceland.
Bessastadir has been the presidential residence since 1941. However, the site has a much older history. The Islendinga Saga (Saga of the Icelanders) mentions Bessastaðir as a farm belonging to 13th century chieftain and Saga author, Snorri Sturluson. Archeological digs show that some of the earliest inhabitants in Iceland settled here.
When Iceland agreed to recognize the King of Norway, Bessastaðir became a royal stronghold and home to the highest ranking official in Iceland. Turkish slave raiders attacked the building in 1627, but the residents luckily managed to thwart the invaders.
The main building was constructed in 1761. Bessastaðir housed a school until 1867. Grímur Thomsen, a poet and statesman, purchased it and lived there with his family for almost 2 decades. In 1940, Sigurður Jónasson purchased the land and donated it to it the state as the future residence for Icelandic presidents.
Today visitors can go inside the church, which has a triptych altarpiece painted by the Icelandic artist Muggur in 1921.
Bessastaðir church
There has always been a church in Bessastaðir since 1000 and the church on site was consecrated in 1796. The church received its stained glass windows in 1956 to commemorate the 60th birthday of Ásgeir Ásgeirsson, the second president of the country.
Is it possible to visit Bessastaðir?
Yes, it is. Each year a number of people come to Bessastaðir either by invitation or as tourists, and there are also special visiting arrangements for groups.
Where is Bessastaðir?
Bessastadir is situated on the Alftanes peninsula, only about 13km from the center of Reykjavik.
GPS: 64.105897 N, -21.995701 W
