Hallgrimskirkja

Hallgrimskirkja is the great landmark of Reykjavik, a soaring pale concrete church rising over seventy metres on a hill above the city, its stepped, wing-like facade inspired by the basalt columns of Iceland's lava landscapes. A statue of Leif Erikson stands before it, and a lift climbs the tower for the best view over the colourful rooftops of the capital.

Background

The church takes its name from Hallgrímur Pétursson (1614-1674), the poet and cleric who wrote the Passion Hymns. Guðjón Samúelsson's design was commissioned in 1937, and building took 41 years, from 1945 to 1986. Consecration of the crypt came in 1948, the steeple and wings were done in 1974, and the nave followed in 1986. At 74.5 metres it is Iceland's largest church and the country's second tallest building. The tower holds a carillon of 29 bells, the three biggest named after Hallgrímur, his wife Guðríður and their daughter Steinunn. The Klais organ, completed in December 1992, has 5275 pipes and stands 15 metres tall.

Source: Wikipedia, "Hallgrímskirkja"

What you'll find

• The facade - the stepped, wing-like front inspired by basalt columns.
• The tower view - the lift up for the panorama over Reykjavik's rooftops.
• The interior and organ - the light nave and the great pipe organ.
• The Leif Erikson statue - the Viking explorer before the church.

When to go

Year-round; a clear day for the best tower view over the city and mountains. The church is free to enter, and concerts on the organ are a treat.

Good to know

The tower is a paid lift and can queue in season. The interior is austere and modern rather than ornate. It is a landmark and a viewpoint rather than a long visit.

Nearby

The main shopping street Laugavegur and the old town are downhill; the Harpa concert hall is by the harbour.

Key facts