Landakotskirkja (Landakot Church), formally named Basilika Krists konungs (Basilica of Christ the King) and often referred to as Kristskirkja (Christ's Church), is the Catholic cathedral of Iceland, located in Reykjavik.

History of Landakotskirkja

The first Catholic priests to arrive in Iceland after the Reformation were the frenchmen Bernard Bernard and Jean-Baptiste Baudoin. They bought the Landakot farmstead in Reykjavík in the early 19th century and built a small chapel there in 1864. A few years later, a small wooden church was erected by Túngata, close to Landakot.

After the First World War, the number of Icelandic Catholics was growing and there was a need to build a bigger church. They decided to build a Neo-Gothic church and entrusted the task to the modernist architect Guðjón Samúelsson (who also designed the Hallgrimskirkja). After years of construction, Landakotskirkja was finally consecrated on July 23, 1929. It was the largest church in Iceland at the time.

What to See at Landakotskirkja

Today, Landakotskirkja remains a landmark of western Reykjavík. Its square tower has a flat top in place of the standard spire. Because of the community's request for a Neo-Gothic church, it is more conservative in style than Samuelsson's other creations but still has clear modern elements and glacier-inspired lines. The interior is traditionally Gothic, with a patterned tile floor and no aisles or transepts. On the grounds is the only Catholic school in Iceland, Landakotsskóli.

Quick Facts on Landakotskirkja

Site Information
Names:	Basilica of Christ the King · Basilika Krists konungs · Christ's Church · Kristskirkja · Landakot Church · Landakotskirkja
Country:	Iceland
Categories:	cathedrals
Faiths:	Catholicism
Styles:	Gothic Revival style
Dedication:	Christ
Dates:	1929
Status:	active
Visitor and Contact Information
Coordinates:	64.147461° N, 21.948903° W
Address:	Reykjavik, Iceland
Lodging:	View hotels near Landakotskirkja

Note: This information was accurate when first published and we do our best to keep it updated, but details such as opening hours and prices can change without notice. To avoid disappointment, please check with the site directly before making a special trip.

References

1. Landakotskirkja - Wikipedia

More Information

• Photos of Landakotskirkja - here on Sacred Destinations