Echoes of History Beautiful Sites Where the World Was Forever Changed

26. The Round Table Room, Reykjavík – The Cold War’s Turning Point

In October 1986, the world came close to a historic moment of nuclear disarmament inside the Höfði House in Reykjavík, Iceland. It was here that Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev held their pivotal summit, which, while failing to reach an immediate agreement, laid the groundwork for the end of the Cold War and significant nuclear arms reductions. The talks at this quiet, coastal house marked a turning point in U.S.-Soviet relations, proving that diplomacy—rather than war—could change the course of history. Today, Höfði House remains a symbol of peace and international cooperation.