Hafnarfjörður - The town in the lava

Hafnarfjörður Information Centre
Tourist Information, Strandgata 6
Tel. 585-5555
e-mail: info@hafnarfjordur.is
Open Mon to Fri 8:00-17:00 and at weekends in June, July and August 10:00-15:00

The town of Hafnarfjörður has grown up among lava which flowed from Mt. Búrfell about 7,300 years ago. As the lava flowed into the sea it formed strange and picturesque shapes, and the people of the town have placed their homes among these dramatic rock formation.

A growing town
Hafnarfjörður is Iceland´s third-largest community, with just over 21,000 inhabitants, not to mention the elves who are reputed to live in various places around the town! The town is expanding fast: new residential districts are growing up, as is a new commercial sector.

Welcome to Hafnarfjörður
Hafnarfjörður offers visitors a relaxed atmosphere, and plenty of activities such as whale-watching, horse-riding, and elf-spotting, as well as splendid Viking feasts. And a variety of cafés and restaurants offer something for everyone.
The people of Hafnarfjörður welcome you to their picturesque, relaxed town in the lava. 


 

Elven town
Mysterious beings are said to reside in the lava fields of Hafnarfjörður – though not all can see them. Icelanders have long believed that rocks and cliffs were homes to elves and dwarfs, and in Hafnarfjörður these beings live in peace and harmony with their human neighbours. Many people say they have seen a woman in white, with a silver belt, who is said to live in Hamarinn, reputed to be an elven palace.
A woman who lived near Hamarinn told the following story:
She dreamed that she was invited into the rock of Hamarinn. A woman dressed in white led her through the splendid rooms of the palace. As they passed through the rooms, the woman saw many strangely-dressed people, who bowed to the elf woman.
This dream lends support to the legend that in Hamarinn live elves of royal descent.
There are many stories in Iceland of road-building operations being halted, when accidents have occurred which have been attributed to elves, objecting to the development. Such developments have often been altered to suit the elves: e.g. on Merkurgata in Hafnarfjörður an elven rock has been left projecting into the road, which narrows at that point.

The Hidden Worlds Map, which shows the supernatural sites of Hafnarfjörður as seen by psychic Erla Stefánsdóttir, says: “Elven beings can be perceived in gardens all over Hafnarfjörður, but the lava is particularly alive with dwarfs, gnomes and all kinds of elemental beings.” The Hidden Worlds Map is available from the Service Centre in the Town Hall, Strandgata 6, and tourist information centres in Reykjavík, and at Mál og menning bookstores.

Hidden Worlds Walks
Bookings on tel. 694 2785,
Walking tour of elven sites, 1½ to 2 hours.
Mon to Fri 15 June to 15 August: Mon-Wed-Thur at 10.00 14.00, Tues-Fri at 14:30. Tours twice weekly at other times of year. Departure from the Service Centre at the Town Hall, Strandgata 6.
Tours at other times by arrangement.
E-mail: sibbak@simnet.is


Viking Town
For over a decade, Hafnarfjörður has played host to an annual Viking Festival at Fjörukráin. Vikings from around the world gather to take part in the festival. A colourful collection of artists will be at the Viking Festival 2004: artists, warriors, bowmen, wrestlers, woodcarvers, stonemasons, blacksmiths, storytellers and enchantresses, musicians and magicians. About 120 Vikings, both Icelanders and visitors from abroad, will create an authentic Viking atmosphere. This is the eight Viking “invasion” of Hafnarfjörður, and the fifth Solstice Festival at Fjörukráin. The festival lasts from 16 to 20 June.
Fjörukráin offers a flavour of the Viking Age all year round, with its Viking Fests.


Angling permits for Kleifarvatn, Djúpavatn and Hlíðarvatn lakes at Selvogur sold at Veiðibúðin við Lækinn, Strandgata 49, Tel: 555 6226
Website: www.agn.is 


Swimming pools in Hafnarfjordur

Suðurbæjarlaug - outdoor pool
Hringbraut 77, Tel: 565 3080
25 m. outdoor pool, 12.5 m. indoor pool, hot pots, steam bath, water slide. Solarium, massage, Nautilus gym.
Open Mon to Fri 06:30 - 21.30, Sat 8:00 - 18:30, Sun 8:00 - 17:30.

Sundhöll Hafnarfjarðar – indoor pool
Herjólfsgata 10, Tel: 555-0088
Indoor pool, outdoor hot pots, sauna, solarium.
Open Mon to Fri 06:30 - 21:00, Sat and Sun 8:00 - 12:00. Women´s night Tues and Thurs 20-21.

Arts and culture
Hafnarfjörður offers a varied cultural scene. Art shows are held regularly at the Hafnarborg Institute of Culture and Fine Arts, while the Hafnarfjörður Museum tells the history of the community. The Hafnarfjörður Theatre (Hafnarfjarðarleikhús) is an innovative and respected theatre conpany.
Ancient Norse culture can be experienced at Viking Feasts at Fjörukráin, not to mention the annual Viking Festival each summer. In June each year the Bright Days arts festival is held, while in December Hafnarfjörður has its own Christmas Village.

Hafnarfjörður Public Library
Strandgata 1
Library with Internet access.
Open Mon-Thur 10-19, Fri 11-19. In winter, Sat 11-15.
Tel: 5855690,
Website: http://hafnarfjordur.is/bokasafn

Hafnarfjörður Museum
Pakkhúsið, Vesturgata 8
Three exhibitions: the history of Hafnarfjörður, a children´s exhibition of toys, and an exhibition of photographs. The museum is housed in a renovated 19th-century warehouse building.
The museum is open daily 13 – 17 in summer (June, July, August) and at weekends 13-17 in winter. At other times open for parties by arrangement.
Tel: 565 5420
Website http://museum@hafnarfjordur.is

The museum also has two other houses on exhibition:

Sívertsen House, Vesturgata 6
The oldest house in Hafnarfjörður, The Sívertsen House has been restored to its original state. Example of an upper-class home in the early 19th century.
Open daily 13-17 June-July-Aug. Sat and Sun 13-17 in May and September. At other times open for parties by arrangement.

Sigga´s House, Kirkjuvegur 10
Example of a working-class home in the early 20th century.
Open Sat and Sun 13-17 in Jun-Jul-Aug.
At other times open for parties by arrangement.

Hafnarborg
Hafnarborg – the Hafnarfjörður Institute of Culture and Fine Arts – exhibits the work of contemporary artists form both Iceland and abroad, in addition to various other exhibitions. Music plays an important role in the programme of Hafnarborg: concerts have been given by most of Iceland´s leading musicians, as well as visitors from abroad.
Hafnarborg is open daily except Tuesday 11-17.
Tel: 555 0080
website www.hafnarborg.is
e-mail: hafnarborg@hafnarfjordur.is

Hafnarfjörður Theatre
Strandgata 50. Box Office: 555 2222 fax: 555 0553, Office: 555 0562
E-mail: theater@vortex.is
The Hafnarfjörður Theatre Company is an ambitious professional theatre company, which is famed for its innovative and interesting work,and has taken its productions to the Nordic countries and Germany.

Sculpture Park, Víðistaðatún
The International Sculpture Park at Víðistaðatún comprises 16 works by artists from Mexico, Switzerland, France, Finland, Japan, Germany and Iceland. Most of the works were created at the Straumur arts centre, in connection with arts festivals held in Hafnarfjörður in 1991 and 1993.
After the 1991 festival, which focussed on sculpture, 12 artists donated their works to the town of Hafnarfjörður, as the basis on an international sculpture park.

Bright Days in June
The Hafnarfjörður arts and cultural festival Bright days is held each year in June. The aim of Bright Days is to provide entertainment for the townspeople and visitors, and to promote Hafnarfjörður arts and artists. The varied programme offers something for everyone.

Christmas Village
In December, a Christmas village is set up in downtown Hafnarfjörður: it open on the last weekend in November, and is open every weekend until Christmas. Visitors can buy a large variety of Christmas decorations, gifts and goodies. Entertainers appear on stage. Jólasveinar or Yuletide Lads (Icelandic Santas) visit the village at 15:00.

Stone Arch at Fornubúðir
Monument by German artist Lupus (Hartmut Wolf) commemorating the first Lutheran church in Iceland, which was built in 1533, 17 years before Lutheranism was formally adopted in Iceland. At that time many German (Hanseatic) merchants, of the Lutheran faith did business in Hafnarfjörður.


Places of Interest
Bonsai Park, Hellisgerði
The Bonsai Park in the Hellisgerði public garden contains 130-150 miniature trees, of which 70-80 are on display at any time. They are stored indoors in winter. Bonsai Park open June to November, Mon to Fri 15-22 and weekends 13-18.

Lava field west of Straumsvík
West of Straumsvík, walking routes have been marked in the lava field. Map available at the Service Centre in the Town Hall, Strandgata 6.

Chapel in the lava
In the Kapelluhraun lava field (= Chapel Lava Field) are the remains of an ancient chapel built of lava rock, apposite the aluminium plant in Straumsvík.

Krýsuvík
Krýsuvík is an area of geothermal activity and outstanding natural beauty, within easy reach of Hafnarfjörður. Map available at the Service Centre in the Town Hall, Strandgata 6.

Krýsuvíkurberg
Spectacular birdcliffs just south of Krýsuvík.

Harbour and Marina
Hafnarfjörður Harbour is popular with people of all ages, who watch the fishermen at work, and vessels coming and going. Whale-watching cruises and sea angling are available.