Hannesarholt

Hannesarholt is the historic residence of Hannes Hafstein, the first Icelandic Minister of State and noted poet, which is today operated as a non-profit organization aiming to create a connection with the past as well as a warm and homey atmosphere. The owners of the house hope to create a sense of serenity and community in the house, a place where you can come in from the hectic modern world and take a deep breath - a place where people come together and where life can take place. The house reflects this desire with its warm and welcoming decor.

Built in 1915, the house is a monument to a turbulent time in Icelandic history - between the chiefly agricultural ages past and the fast approaching industrialisation and modernisation, on the cusp of home rule and later independence from the Danish Crown and the urbanization which followed with the world wars. Reykjavik was barely a city at the time, less than 15.000 people, but it had grown from just 6.000 in 1901.

At the forefront of this rapidly approaching modern age was the resident of the house, Hannes Hafstein, poet, statesman and entrepreneur - in addition to being the first Minister of state under home rule (the previous Minster of state being responsible to the Danish Crown but Hannes to the Icelandic Parliament) Hannes served as the CEO of the Icelandic Bank on more than one occasion. The house he occupied stands as a monument for the ages, to him and to this special time in Icelandic history.

The lower floor is an open house (no entry fee) where you can drop by and examine this historic building, there are regular concerts there and upon request you can view a documentary about Hannes Hafstein. On the upper floor there are two conference rooms available for hire. Finally there is the kitchen, which serves breakfast from 8 am on weekdays and brunch from 11 am on weekends.