Selfoss, Southern Region, Iceland

🇮🇸 Selfoss is a town in southern Iceland on the banks of the Ölfusá river. It is the seat of the municipality of Árborg. The Icelandic Route 1 runs through the town on its way between Hveragerði and Hella. The town is a centre of commerce and small industries with a population of 11,000 (2023), making it the largest residential area in South Iceland.

Geography Selfoss is located about 11 km inland from the south-western coast of Iceland, and 50 km from Reykjavík. It is the major town and the administrative seat of the Southern Region. The closest other towns are Eyrarbakki, Stokkseyri and Hveragerði.

History: Overview Selfoss was settled by Þórir Ásason sometime after 1000, but the Sagas of Icelanders mention that Ingólfur Arnarson was there during the winter of 873-74, under the Ingólfsfjall mountain, which is west of the Ölfusá river.

In the summer of 1891, due to the lobbying of Tryggvi Gunnarsson, a member of the Alþing, the first suspension bridge was built over the Ölfusá. That was a major breakthrough in Icelandic infrastructure. The bridge made the town a logical centre for services for the surrounding agricultural region. The current bridge was built in 1945 after the original structure collapsed.

In 1900, the town was home to only 40 inhabitants, but by 2011 the population had climbed to 6,500.

In 1931, the dairy firm Mjólkurbú Flóamanna and general store Kaupfélag Árnesinga were established. The two companies were the main employers in the area for several decades. During World War II the British stationed troops at Selfoss to guard the strategic bridge.

Present day Today, with more efficient transportation, Selfoss benefits from its proximity to the Reykjavík area and is predicted to grow further in the coming years as businesses and residents relocate to the town because of lower property prices. This has also led to many relocating their homes from Reykjavík to the much calmer Selfoss. It enjoys low rates of unemployment and is the home of one of the largest colleges in the country; FSU Fjölbrautaskóli Suðurlands. In early August, the town holds a festival called "Sumar á Selfossi", meaning "Summer in Selfoss". Local residents decorate their gardens with ribbons, coloured according to neighbourhood, and a fete is held on the public grassland behind the civic library. The fete involves the selling of homemade goods on small stalls, performances by musicians and magicians on a temporary stage, and in 2011, a "Strongest Man" competition was held, with video recording by Icelandic television channel Stöð 2. In the evening, the revelry continues with a large bonfire and free fireworks display.

Former World Chess Champion Bobby Fischer is buried near Selfoss at Laugardælir cemetery.

New town center In 2018, the creation of a new town centre has been decided. It will consist of reconstructions of historical buildings from all across the country.

Sport The town biggest sports club is the UMF Selfoss multi-sport club, which was founded in 1936. In May 2019, the Selfoss men's handball team won the national handball championship for the first time. In August 2019, the women's football team added the club's second major title in one year when it won the Icelandic Football Cup. Its men's football team has played in the Icelandic leagues since 1966. The team spent two seasons in the top-tier Úrvalsdeild, in 2010 and 2012, but were relegated in both seasons.

The town also has a basketball club named Körfuknattleiksfélag Selfoss. Its men's team has had spells in the top-tier Úrvalsdeild karla. Part of the local college and the club serve as a development academy for young players that attend the school.

Transport Selfoss sits on Route 1, the Icelandic ring road, and is the first major stop east of Reykjavik.

Selfoss Airport is a privately run airstrip located just to the south-west of the town.