The Presidential Residence at Bessastaðir
Bessastaðir. Photo by Una Sighvatsdóttir.
Besides being the residence of the President of Iceland, Bessastaðir is also an important historical site that has played a prominent role in the history of the country.
The property of Bessastaðir on Álftanes, near Reykjavík, has a history that runs from the Age of Settlement (that ended in 930). 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.