Reykjavik, Iceland is actually one of the most haunted places that tourists visit. There is a tour walk being offered and tourists go to different places in this area of Iceland that are important historically.

Of all the haunted places in Reykjavik, the Höfði house is on top of the list. The house is reportedly occupied by a ghost dubbed as The White Lady. Would you want to know more about this ghost? Read more below!

The Höfði House in Reykjavik, Iceland. (Link: https://visitreykjavik.is/hofdi-house)

The History Of Höfði House

The Höfði House in Reykjavik, Iceland is known not only for its eerie feeling but also a historical one that paved the way for the end of the Cold War. This was the place where presidents Ronald Reagan of the United States and Mikhail Gorbachev of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics had a meeting back in 1986.

Presidents Ronald Reagan of the United States and Mikhail Gorbachev of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics at the Höfði House. (Link: https://nsarchive2.gwu.edu/NSAEBB/NSAEBB203/)

The house was built in 1909 and was originally built for French consul Jean-Paul Brillouin. It later became the residence of businessman, judge, and poet Einar Benediktsson. Painter Louisa Matthíasdóttir’s family also resided there from 1925 to 1937.

During the 1940s throughout the 1950s, it became the British Embassy in Reykjavik. By 1958, the city of Reykjavik purchased the house to restore it to how it was in the past. The house even has a sculpture in front of it which depicts the pillars from the chieftain’s seat of the first Norwegian settler in Reykjavik. Since its restoration, it has been used as a reception area for important events and festivities. Other famous guests who have visited the Höfði House are the Queen of England, Winston Churchill, and Marlene Dietrich.

Inside the Höfði House. (Link: https://www.bowsandsequins.com/2017/03/16/iceland-travel-guide-tips/hofdi-house-iceland/)

In 2009, however, the Höfði House was damaged due to a fire. Fortunately, all the irreplaceable artifacts have been saved. The house is not open to the locals and to the tourists but they can explore it from the outside.

The Höfði House on fire in 2009. (Link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/olafur/3954228316)

The White Lady Of Höfði House

The rumors about the Höfði House being haunted by the ghost of a lady begun when Einar Benediktsson lived at the home. Legend has it that the ghost belongs to a woman named Sólborg Jónsdottir. Allegedly, she poisoned herself when Benediktsson made a verdict on an assault case. It is unclear what the case was about but it is reportedly related to Jónsdottir. Others, however, claim that she might have died due to drowning.Since her death, her ghost begun appearing before Benediktsson and other poeple at the Höfði House at night.

Einar Benediktsson once occupied the Höfði House. (Link: https://www.press.is/is/um-felagid/felagarnir/bladamannaminni/einar-benediktsson-1)

The next owners of the home also claimed that they have been disturbed at night by the same spirit. If she does not appear to anyone, she allegedly makes noises to make sure that her presence is known and felt.

In 1970s, a group toured the premises of the Höfði House and they were accompanied by a tour guide. After the tour guide told them the story of the alleged White Lady, one of the tourists there was no such thing as ghosts. After that, she picked up a glass of champagne and threw it onto her own face. Later, she was asked why she did such a thing and explained that she did not know what happened.

The Höfði House at night. (Link: https://hiveminer.com/Tags/h%C3%B6f%C3%B0i%2Creagan/Recent)

The Other Ghosts Of Höfði House

Some locals also claim that the land where the Höfði House stands was once a burial ground for Vikings. This is believed to be the reason behind the unexplained frequent disappearance of spirits from the liquor cabinet of the Höfði House. Aside from these liquor-stealing ghosts, no other paranormal activities are caused by them.

Have you gone to the Höfði House? Share your stories in the comments if you have any spooky experience while there!