Selfoss Centre

Selfoss is the largest town in South Iceland, and the perfect gateway to the natural wonders of the south.

The Houses

These reconstructions showcase what came to be seen as the classic Icelandic style, including characteristic corrugated iron facades and chalet-style architecture. In fact, this ‘Icelandic’ style combines influences from Scandinavia with an addition from the United Kingdom. British ships would bring corrugated iron to Iceland to trade for sheep and it turned out to be the perfect building material for the climate. The chalet style was a Norwegian influence, which was itself inspired by country chalets in Switzerland, and known as ​​Sveitserstil.

These are the 13 houses that form the first part of the town centre development: 

Friðriksgáfa

About the building

Reconstructed 2021, Selfoss This is a reconstruction of a large governor’s residence from the North of Iceland. Only pictures and descriptions from books were used in recreating the original building.
  • Built: 1827
  • Location: Möðruvellir in North Iceland
  • Purpose: County Governor’s Residence

What happened to it?

Destroyed by fire in 1874 and again in 1880

Point of interest?

The house was financed by the Danish king, and its name means Gift of Friðrik, King of Denmark.

The Old Dairy

About the building

Reconstructed 2020, Selfoss The original dairy, which was designed by the state architect Guðjón Samúelsson, started operating in Selfoss in 1929. The dairy collected milk from the cows of local farmers to produce fresh milk, cheese and cream, whey and skyr.
  • Built: 1928-9
  • Location: Selfoss
  • Purpose: Dairy

What happened to it?

Demolished in 1954 when the dairy moved to a larger premises on the same site.

Point of interest?

The architect Guðjón Samúelsson also designed the famous Hallgrímskirkja church in Reykjavík.

Sigtún

About the building

Reconstructed 2019, Selfoss A significant building in the history of Selfoss, the original Sigtún was the second house constructed in the town. It became the area’s largest trading store and was an important focal point as more and more people moved to the area.
  • Built: 1907
  • Location: Selfoss
  • Purpose: General store

What happened to it?

Demolished in 1946

Point of interest?

This reconstruction stands just a few metres west of the building’s original site, next to a statue of Egill Thorarensen, a key figure in Selfoss history.

Gullfosshúsið

About the building

Reconstructed 2019, Selfoss Considered one of Akureyri’s most beautiful buildings when it was originally built, Gulfosshúsið was turned into Hotel Gullfoss in 1927. It also housed a handsome restaurant and for many years was the centre of Akureyri’s social and entertainment scene.
  • Built: 1905
  • Location: Akureyri, North Iceland
  • Purpose: Carpentry, store, hotel

What happened to it?

Destroyed by fire in 1945

Point of interest?

Before becoming a popular store and then a hotel, the building was originally home to the country’s largest carpentry facility

Ingólfur

About the building

Reconstructed 2021, Selfoss Originally one of Selfoss’s earliest houses, this reconstruction stands just 30 metres east of its original site. Some elements of the original were used in the reconstruction.
  • Built: 1926
  • Location: Selfoss
  • Purpose: A family home with a store on the ground floor

What happened to it?

Fell into disrepair after being removed from its foundations in 2007

Point of interest?

Like the mountain just north of Selfoss, the house was named after the first settler in Iceland, Ingólfur Arnarson.

Höfn

About the building

Reconstructed 2021, Selfoss The original structure was built, taken down and rebuilt twice in different towns before finding a home in Selfoss. In 1928, it became the store “S. Ó. Ólafsson & Co” and this reconstruction stands a few metres south of its original Selfoss site.
  • Built: 1916
  • Location: Þorlákshöfn (then Eyrarbakki and Selfoss)
  • Purpose: Store

What happened to it?

Demolished in 1969

Point of interest?

The name Höfn (harbour) refers to its original location at Þorlákshöfn on the south coast.

Edinborg

About the building

Reconstructed 2020, Selfoss Originally the headquarters of the Edinborg trading company in Reykjavik, this was one of the most innovative wooden buildings in the country. It specialised in textiles, and was where goods were first sold regularly for money, replacing the old tradition of bartering.
  • Built: 1895
  • Location: Reykjavík
  • Purpose: Store

What happened to it?

Destroyed 1915 by a fire that started in a nearby hotel

Point of interest?

The tower served as an office for the trading company’s managing director.

Hótel Björninn

About the building

Reconstructed 2020, Selfoss Built by an entrepreneur and parliament member in Hafnarfjörður (close to Reyjavík), the original house was a magnificent family home with space for political meetings on the ground floor. In 1930, it was changed into a hotel, and the hall was regularly used for dances. In its final days it was run as a fishing and hardware store.
  • Built: 1906
  • Location: Hafnarfjörður
  • Purpose: Family home, hotel

What happened to it?

Demolished in 1970

Point of interest?

During the Second World War it became popular with British and American soldiers stationed in Iceland.

Konungshúsið

About the building

Reconstructed 2021, Selfoss Konungshúsið was originally built at Þingvellir national park in 1907 to mark the visit of the newly crowned Danish King Frederick VIII. In 1928, it was moved and renovated as part of the 1000th anniversary celebrations of the Icelandic parliament. The house was later used as a summer residence for the prime minister. Then, in 1970, a tragic fire destroyed the building and led to the deaths of then prime minister Bjarni Benediktsson, his wife Sigríður Björnsdóttir, and their young grandson.
  • Built: 1907
  • Location: Þingvellir National Park
  • Purpose: Royal and ministerial residence

What happened to it?

Destroyed by fire in 1970

Point of interest?

Konungshúsið means the King’s house

Smjörhúsið

About the building

Reconstructed 2020, Selfoss The original building played many historic roles in Reykjavík through the years, from prominent family home to school building, retail store and, finally, bookshop. In the early 20th century it was home to parliament member and Landsbankinn managing director Tryggvi Gunnarsson who was responsible for building the bridge that leads into Selfoss.
  • Built: 1797
  • Location: Reykjavik
  • Purpose: Home, school and bookshop

What happened to it?

Demolished in 1977

Point of interest?

The building’s name means butter house, due to its use as a retail shop for butter-related goods in the early 20th century.

Reykjavíkurapótek

About the building

Reconstructed 2020, Selfoss The original building housed Reykjavík’s central pharmacy for many years. There had been a pharmacy business on the site previously, but in 1881 the Danish owner of the time constructed an impressive new building, decorated with architectural flourishes.
  • Built: 1881
  • Location: Reykjavik
  • Purpose: Pharmacy

What happened to it?

Demolished in 1960

Point of interest?

The original decorations featured sculptures by Danish-Icelandic artist Bertel Thorvaldsen, including Asklepíos, the god of medicine.

Fjalakötturinn

About the building

Reconstructed 2020, Selfoss One of Reyjkavík’s best-known buildings, the original Fjalakötturinn had a long association with the arts, at different times serving as a home to famous poets, as a space for the visual arts and, in the early 20th century, as one of the country’s earliest cinemas.
  • Built: 1751
  • Location: Reykjavík
  • Purpose: Warehouse, store, cinema

What happened to it?

Demolished in 1983

Point of interest?

The building was once home to Jonas Hallgrímsson, Iceland’s best-known poet.

Egilsonshús 

About the building

Reconstructed 2020, Selfoss Originally an impressive warehouse, built in the harbour town of Hafnafjörður. It later became a residential building and the retail headquarters for a fishing business.
  • Built: 1856
  • Location: Hafnarfjörður
  • Purpose: Warehouse

What happened to it?

Destroyed by fire 1976

Point of interest?

The name refers to a merchant called Þorsteinn Egilson, who had the original structure built.

SELFOSS VISITOR CENTRE

Skyrland, The Old Dairy
Eyravegur 1
800 Selfoss, Iceland 

CONTACT

info@selfoss.com