Hofsós

The village Hofsós (pop. 190) is one of the oldest trading ports in northern Iceland, dating back to the 16th century. It was a trading post for the Danish Trade Monopoly. The Pakkhús (one of the black houses in the photo) is a warehouse built in 1777, during that time. In recent years Hofsós has built itself up as a tourist attraction. The Icelandic Emigration Center is dedicated to the westward migration to North America of Icelanders that reached its peak at the start of the 19th century. There are cafés and restaurants in the village, an excellent outdoor public swimming pool, and pleasant walks along the shore with good examples of hexagonal basalt columns.