Hallgrimskirkja, Reykjavik
Hallgrímskirkja after sunset. Photo: Trey Ratcliff.
Exterior at dusk. Photo: Tom Borton.
View of Hallgrímskirkja over Reykjavik rooftops. Photo: RacingSquirrel.
Graceful interior vaulting resembling an ice cave. Photo: Patrick Williams.
The nave features glacier-inspired pillars. Photo: Nic McPhee.
Interior view of Hallgrímskirkja, looking east. Photo: Josh Glaser.
Exterior view of Hallgrímskirkja from the southeast. Photo: RacingSquirrel.
Hallgrímskirkja (Hallgrim's Church) in Reykjavik is the tallest and most striking church in Iceland.
A Lutheran parish church, Hallgrimskirkja is named after the Icelandic poet and clergyman Hallgrímur Pétursson (1614-74), author of the Passíusálmar and other works. He was one of the most influential pastors during the Age of Orthodoxy and made major contributions to Lutheran hymnody.
The modern Nordic design of Hallgrimskirkja is the work of State Architect Guðjón Samúelsson, who also designed the Landakotskirkja in Reykjavik and the Akureyrarkirkju in Akureyri. The church took 38 years to build (1945-86), the landmark tower being completed long before the church's actual completion.
At 74.5 metres (244 ft), Hallgrimskirkja is the tallest building in Iceland. It is situated in the city center and has become one of Reykjavík's best known symbols.
The cathedral has a stylized concrete facade inspired by the distinctive basalt formations found throughout Iceland. Inside, Hallgrimskirkja houses a huge pipe organ (1992) by the German organbuilder Klais and an eighth-floor bell tower with some of the city's best views. Access to the observation deck is via elevator.
The statue in front of the church is of Leif Eríkson, an Icelandic/Norwegian explorer and the first European thought to have landed in North America. The monument was a gift from the United States for the 1930 Althing Millennial Festival, which marked the 1000th anniversary of Iceland's parliament.
Location Map
Location map and satellite view of the Hallgrimskirkja. Using the buttons on the left, zoom in for a closer look or zoom out to get your bearings. Click and drag the map to move around. You can explore all of Reykjavik on our Reykjavik Map.
Quick Facts
| Names: | Hallgrímskirkja; Hallgrim's Church; Church of Hallgrímur |
| Type of site: | Parish church |
| Dates: | Built 1945-83 |
| Size: | 74.5 metres (244 ft) tall |
| Location: | Skólavörðuholti, 121 Reykjavík |
| Phone: | +354 510 1000 |
| Website: | http://www.hallgrimskirkja.is/ |
| Hours: | Daily 9-5 |
| Cost: | Free admission; elevator to top ISK 300. |
| Services: | 11:00 Sundays |
Sources
- Iceland: The Best Art, Architecture & Museums - Frommer's Online-Only Guides
- Hallgrímskirkja - Wikipedia
- Hallgrimskirkja Church - Visit Reykjavik
- Fodor's Scandinavia, 11th ed.
- Travel Reviews of Hallgrimskirkja - TripAdvisor
- Hallgrímur Pétursson - Wikipedia
- Leif Ericson - Wikipedia
