Halló halló!
Whenever there is talk of Icelandic swimming pools, people inevitably chime in with their appreciation for the swimming pool in the village of Hofsós, north Iceland. It is an infinity pool with a gorgeous view, from which you can see Drangey, the island that figures prominently in the history of Icelandic swimming culture (and my husband’s family history), as outlined in my recent Letter 👇
Before 2010, Hofsós (pop. ca 200) was one of the few communities in Iceland with no swimming pool. That is, until two heiresses and entrepreneurs, Steinunn Jónsdóttir (whose father founded BYKO) and Lilja Pálmadóttir (whose father founded Hagkaup), both of whom had homes nearby, decided to build one.
Either of them could have built a private pool next to their estates, but they chose to gift a pool to the community, for all to use. In an interview, Lilja was quoted as saying that she found the thought absurd that she should paddle around in her own private pool when the community had to do without.
(See what I mean about swimming pools being essential to our way of life?)
Steinunn and Lilja presented the town of Hofsós with the gift of a pool on 19 June 2007. The date was significant: it is our Women’s Rights Day, since it was on 19 June 1915 that Icelandic women gained the right to vote.
Then, in 2008, construction was in full swing when suddenly—yikes!—the Icelandic economy imploded.
For a while it was uncertain whether the project could continue as planned. After a pause of some time it did, and on 22 March 2010 the pool was officially opened and presented to the town of Hofsós.
Today the pool is open to the public and is one of the most popular swimming pools in Iceland—unsurprisingly, given its stunning view. I am assuming that the two women who bestowed this generous gift upon Hofsós residents get free admission for the rest of their lives—or so I would hope!
Have you visited the pool at Hofsós? Did you like it?
Visiting Iceland, or know someone who is? My Little Book of Tourists in Iceland is a must-read for anyone making the trip. Seriously, you’ll thank me later.
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I’m living in Hosfós thru the end of August and enjoy the fabulous pool several times a week. It truly is amazing, but so is the town itself and its residents.
I was torn, but ultimately went to Grettislaug instead. Maybe not state of the art, but definitely worth a visit if in the area.