The first settler, Hjalti Thordarson, after whom the valley was named, lived at Hof.  About 1,200 people were present at his commemoration after his burial.  It looks as if the farm was abandoned in the 11^th century and a new farm was built where the bishopric Holar was founded in 1106.  According to the so-called Sigurdur Register from 1550, Hof was occupied, but after that it remained uninhabited until 1827, when crofters started living there.  In the beginning of the 18^th century there were only sheep cots on the property.

Hof is a challenge for archaeologist.  There are quite a few spots there to be examined, such as the farm ruins, the Hala ruins, the Skala ruins, a depression in the landscape with a ruin of a temple, and the burial mound Hjaltahaugur.  Some topographical names, such as Godalaut and Blotsteinn, suggest something interesting as well.  A grave on the mound closest to the farm was examined in 1955.
Picture:  Old farm at Holar in the Hjaltadalur Valley.