Hallgrímskirkja

Overview

Hallgrímskirkja is Reykjavík's most recognizable landmark, a towering Lutheran parish church whose 74.5-metre concrete façade was inspired by the columnar basalt formations found across Iceland's volcanic landscapes. Designed by state architect Guðjón Samúelsson in 1937, the church took 41 years to complete.

Highlights

• The Façade: The dramatic wing-like columns flanking the tower evoke Iceland's basalt lava flows and have become the defining image of Reykjavík's skyline.
• The Organ: A magnificent 5,275-pipe instrument built by Johannes Klais of Bonn, Germany, standing 15 metres tall and weighing 25 tonnes.
• Leifur Eiríksson Statue: The bronze figure of the Norse explorer stands before the church, a 1930 gift from the United States marking the millennium of the Icelandic parliament.

History

Commissioned in 1937, construction began in 1945 and proceeded slowly from the ground up—the crypt was completed in 1948, the tower finished in 1974, and the nave consecrated in 1986. The church is named after the 17th-century Icelandic poet and clergyman Hallgrímur Pétursson, author of the Passion Hymns.

Visitor Tips

• Tower: The elevator to the observation deck costs ISK 1,100 and runs year-round.
• Concerts: Check the schedule for organ recitals, often held on weekday lunchtimes.
• Duration: 30–45 minutes for the interior and tower combined.