Images of Hofdi house
Hofdi house and its collection
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Höfði is a significant historical site in Reykjavík, Iceland, recognized for hosting the 1986 Reykjavík Summit. This meeting between President Ronald Reagan of the United States and General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev of the Soviet Union marked a crucial step towards the end of the Cold War. The house commemorates this event by cross-hanging the flags of the United States and the Soviet Union.
Origins and Early Residents of Höfði
Constructed in 1909, Höfði was initially built for the French consul Jean-Paul Brillouin in Iceland. The house also served as the exclusive residence of the renowned poet and businessman Einar Benediktsson for twelve years from 1913 to 1925. This adds to the historical and cultural significance of the house.
Current Use of Höfði
The city of Reykjavík purchased Höfði in 1958 and undertook its restoration. Since then, the house has been used for formal receptions and festive occasions, adding to its historical and cultural value.
Historical Communication Significance of the Höfði Site
Before Höfði was built, the site held a significant role in the history of communication in Iceland. It was used to make the first radio communications between Iceland and the outside world on 26 June 1905. Contact was made with Poldhu in Cornwall, UK, using a Marconi antenna.
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