The building of Bessastaðir was built in 1761-1766, it housed a school until 1867. Grímur Thomsen, a poet and statesman purchased it and lived there with his family for almost 2 decades. It was in 1940 that house was bought by Sigurður Jónasson and donated to the state, for the future residence of the Icelandic presidents.
It is assumed that Bessastaðir has been a site of a church since the year 1000. It took about 20 years to finish the construction of the present church, it was consecrated in 1796. The church of Bessastaðiris among the oldest building made of cemented stone in Iceland. It was decorated with its stained windows in 1956 to commemorate the 60th birthday of Ásgeir Ásgeirsson, the second president of the country.
Official Website
Bessastadir - The presidential residence
