capital-region · Iceland
Hafnarborg - Centro de Artes de Hafnarfjörður
About Hafnarborg - Centro de Artes de Hafnarfjörður
Hafnarborg es el principal centro cultural y museo de arte de Hafnarfjörður, la tercera ciudad más grande de Islandia y famosa como "la ciudad de los elfos". El elegante edificio neoclásico alberga una colección permanente de arte islandés y alberga importantes exposiciones temporales. El edificio fue construido originalmente como casa privada por el comerciante Sverrir Gunnarsson y donado a la ciudad en 1983. El centro también alberga conciertos, conferencias y eventos culturales.
History & Background
Hafnarfjörður es uno de los puertos comerciales más antiguos de Islandia, con comercio registrado desde el siglo XIV. La ciudad fue el principal centro de importación y exportación de Islandia en los siglos XV y XVI, cuando los comerciantes ingleses y alemanes dominaban el comercio islandés. La tradición local considera que el campo de lava Hellisgerði en el centro de la ciudad es el hogar de una gran comunidad de elfos; una creencia tan fuerte que el municipio emplea a un "especialista en elfos" para proyectos de infraestructura.
Did You Know?
- Third largest city in Iceland, population c. 30,000
- Famous as 'the elf town' of Iceland
- Hafnarborg building donated by merchant Sverrir Gunnarsson 1983
- Active programme of exhibitions and concerts
- Annual Viking Festival in June is the largest in the world
Tours Near Hafnarborg - Centro de Artes de Hafnarfjörður
Best-rated Iceland experiences — book with free cancellation
Why Visit
Hafnarborg is the main cultural centre and art museum of Hafnarfjörður, the third-largest city in Iceland and famous as 'the town of elves'.
Did You Know?
The municipality of Hafnarfjörður publishes an official 'elf map' showing the locations of known elf settlements in the lava field — it is available at the tourist office and is entirely serious.
The Elf Town's Unlikely Museum
In the most folklore-rich town in Iceland, where city planners literally reroute roads around elf rocks, Hafnarborg provides art, music and culture to the community that lives between the visible and the invisible world.
Stories & Legends
Icelandic sagas and folklore from this area
Hidden Gems Nearby
Hellisgerði Elf Park
The lava field park Hellisgerði in the centre of town is where most of the elf activity is supposedly concentrated — walk through the twisted lava with the map and it becomes surprisingly easy to see why people believe this.
The Harbour Front Sculpture Walk
Hafnarborg manages an outdoor sculpture programme along the harbour front — there are over a dozen significant works along the short harbour walk, almost all of them unknown to tourists.
Practical Information
Best Time
June for Viking Festival atmosphere
Duration
1 hour
Access
Strandgata 34, Hafnarfjörður — 15 km south of Reykjavík
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Hafnarfjörður from Reykjavík?
About 15 km south — roughly 15 minutes by car or 45 minutes by bus.
Is there really an elf map?
Yes — the Hafnarfjörður tourist office distributes a serious map showing the reputed locations of elf settlements in the Hellisgerði lava field.
