Bessastaðir

Bessastaðir is today the official residence of the President of Iceland and is situated on Garðabær, not far from the capital city, Reykjavík.

After the slaying of Snorri Sturluson 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 and until 1944 when it was donated to the President it was a common farm.