Probably no street in Reykjavík has undergone as many changes over the last 150 years as Hafnarstræti in the city centre. When the street received its current name in 1848, having previously been known as Reipslagarabraut and Strandgata, it was located on the shoreline of Reykjavík harbour. The street was bustling with shops and warehouses. Today, there are two streets, Tryggvagata and Geirsgata, between Hafnarstræti and Reykjavík harbour, and a large part of the southern side of the street now stands empty after Landsbanki Íslands moved its headquarters from Austurstræti/Hafnarstræti to new premises a few hundred meters closer to the harbour. Significant renovations have taken place in the eastern part of the street in recent years, as that part had become rundown. On Hafnarstræti stands one of the oldest restaurants in the country, Hornid, established in 1979. The restaurant specializes in Italian cuisine and is still owned by the same family 45 years later. Icelandic Times ventured downtown to soak up the atmosphere on Hafnarstræti.
Reykjavík 17/04/2024 : A7RIV, RX1R II – 2.0/35mm Z, FE 1.8/20mm G
Photos & text : Páll Stefánsson
