Not far from the port town of Hafnarfjörður is the residence of the President of Iceland, Bessastaðir. It is located in the picturesque village of Alftanes. It means "Swan point" in Icelandic. The estate with white walls and red tiles fits very well into the surrounding landscape.

According to research by archaeologists, people lived in this area as early as the 9th century. In 1199, there was a settlement in this area that belonged to the famous poet, scientist, and politician Snorri Sturluson. He was a supporter of the Norwegian King Haakon IV and promoted his interests in Iceland. Because of his political activities, he was killed in 1241. After his death, Haakon IV conquered the Northern country and annexed its territories to Norway. The settlement, once owned by his ally, was now state property. Since then, members of the Norwegian king's retinue had lived in this area. After Iceland was conquered by the Danes, it was the seat of representatives of the Danish Kingdom.

The building that can be seen now was built in 1766. In the first half of the 19th century, the building housed the only high school in the country at that time.

By the end of the 19th century, another famous person, diplomat, politician, and poet Grimur Thomsen settled in this place. He set up a farm that changed hands several times after his death. In the middle of the 20th century, the building received its current name — Bessastaðir. It was named after the man who bought it and gave it to the state. In 1944, the estate became the residence of the President of Iceland.

Since then, it has been home to the country's leaders, including the current President of Iceland, Guðni Thorlacius Jóhannesson, who, by the way, is the youngest head of state in history. There will be a new election this year, so the estate may soon have new residents.