Home of the Nobel Prize-Winning Author Halldor Laxness

Home of the Nobel Prize-Winning Author Halldor Laxness

The drive between Þingvellir and Reykjavik takes you through the Mosfellssveit countryside, where you'll find Gljufrasteinn, the former home of Iceland’s 1955 Nobel prize winner for literature, Halldor Laxness.

Iceland's only Nobel laureate, Laxness (1902-1998) was a prolific writer and many of his works show an extraordinary gift for use of language. This, coupled with irony, humour, social realism and tragedy ensure his place as one of Iceland's literary giants.  

His books have been translated into over 30 languages and are available in all bookshops in Iceland, as well as on the Internet. Salka Valka and Independent People are recommended as a first read. 

After his death, Glufrasteinn was opened to the public as an exhibition on the author's life and works.