Hofdi House

Hofdi House, which was built in 1909, is a well-known historical site in Reykjavik and one of the most beautiful historical sites in Iceland. The house was erected for the French consul, and later on, Einar Benediktsson, a poet, lived there. Hofdi House became a venue for formal occasions and official business after its years as a house and consulate. The home was famously used as a neutral location between America and Russia for a 1986 conference between Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev. Hofdi House is situated on the water's edge, with views of Mount Esja sweeping across its surface.

Hofdi House has a long history with France. French fishermen frequented Icelandic fishing grounds in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The French consul, Mr. Brillouin, was dispatched to Reykjavik to aid them. He arranged for the importation and installation of a wooden house from Norway in Reykjavik. In 1909, the home was built. In Iceland, there are various wooden "catalog types," but Hofdi House is one of the most magnificent.

Hofdi House now serves as the location for official city social functions. Despite being closed to the general public, the grounds are worth a stroll. The high seat pillars that belonged to the Viking chieftain who became Reykjavik's first settler are shown in a sculpture in front of the structure.

Location: Borgartún 105, Reykjavík, Iceland