Bessastaðir

Bessastaðir is the official residence of the President of Iceland. It is also an important historical site that has played a prominent role in the history of the country.The property of Bessastaðir has a history that runs from the Age of Settlement. In its present form, Bessastaðir consists of a group of buildings including Bessastaðastofa, a reception room, a service wing, the President’s Residence, the manager’s and caretaker’s apartments, Bessastaðir Church, and a garage.

Large numbers of visitors come to Bessastaðir each year, either by invitation or as tourists. Groups have also been admitted by special arrangement with the supervisor of the property.

Bessastaðir was first settled in 1000. It became one of Snorri Sturluson's farms in the 13th century. After Snorri's murder in September 1241, Bessastaðir was claimed by the King of Norway. Thereafter it became a Royal stronghold and the dwellings of the King's highest-ranking officers and officials in Iceland. It resisted an attack by Turkish slave raiders in July 1627. In the late 18th century Bessastaðir was changed into a school for a few years, before becoming a farm. In 1867 the farm was purchased by the poet and statesman Grímur Thomsen, who lived there for almost two decades. Among later owners were editor and parliamentarian Skúli Thoroddsen, and his wife, Theodóra Thoroddsen, who was well known for her literary works. In 1940 Sigurður Jónasson bought Bessastaðir and donated it to the state in 1941 as a residence for the Regent and later the President of Iceland