Hafnarfjörður, Port town in Greater Reykjavík Area, Iceland.
Hafnarfjörður is a coastal town in southwestern Iceland that spreads over solidified lava fields near the capital, comprising an active harbor and residential neighborhoods. The buildings alternate between modern houses, low commercial structures, and older wooden homes, while shops and restaurants cluster around small squares in the center.
A trading post emerged here in the 14th century when foreign merchants began using the natural harbor for cargo exchange. German traders controlled maritime commerce in the 15th and 16th centuries and settled permanently in the growing community.
The name means harbor fjord, reflecting the town's long connection to the sea and maritime trade. Residents gather in the compact downtown area with its shops and cafés, while fishermen still work from the port and moor their boats along the quay walls.
Public geothermal pools offer year-round access to warm water, with the main facility providing multiple basins and rest areas. A short walk through the streets shows the interplay between solidified lava and modern development, particularly visible at the town edges.
In Hellisgerði Park, marked paths wind through lava formations believed to house elves, and visitors read explanations of this local tradition on small signs. Some residents still report encounters with the invisible neighbors and respect certain rocks considered their dwellings.
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