Hallgrímskirkja Church
Iceland's strange, beautiful architectural gem
Hallgrímskirkja Church stands guard over Iceland as both a parish church and a national sanctuary. Named after 17th-century clergyman Hallgrímur Pétursson, author of Hymns of the Passion, Hallgrímskirkja is an Evangelical-Lutheran church. It is also the tallest building in Reykjavík and the sixth tallest structure in Iceland overall.
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Architecture Inspired By Basalt Columns
The unusual yet gorgeous architecture is worth mentioning, as we had never seen a building built like this. Inspired by the beautiful basalt columns of the Svartifoss waterfall in South Iceland, the church was designed by Guðjón Samúelsson. (Samuelsson is one of Iceland’s most well-known architects.) Hallgrímskirkja Church opened in 1986. Unfortunately, because it took 41 years to build, Samuelsson didn’t live to see its completion.
Some have seen Hallgrímskirkja as an example of “Brutalist architecture”, a style of architecture that flourished in the 1950s and 1960s. The name is derived from the French word for “raw” and reference to the use of raw concrete, or “béton brut”. However, Samuelsson’s original designs actually planned for it to be part of a giant square with the University of Iceland and other artistic buildings surrounding it. That failed to happen, as building the church in the first place was controversial due to its “ugly” design. The pavement around it wasn’t even done until the 1990s.
Fun Facts About Hallgrímskirkja Church
Did you know Leif Erikson discovered North America BEFORE Christopher Columbus? Yes, boys and girls — that’s not something they mention in U.S. history books! Eriksson discovered North American in the year 1000, more than 500 years before Columbus. Don’t miss Erikson’s giant statue outside the church.
Hallgrímskirkja Church also houses the largest concert organ in Iceland. It stands an impressive 49 feet tall and weighing 55,115 pounds. The mechanical action has 102 ranks, 72 stops, and 5,275 pipes.
Hallgrimskirkja Church keeps popping up on various website rankings for “strangest buildings” in the world, rated 24th strangest by the website BoredPanda in 2014. That said, people have the tendency to confuse the strange with the beautiful. In 2015, Hallgrímskirkja was picked as one of 19 most beautiful houses of worship in the world by the Architectural Digest, one of America’s oldest architecture and interior design magazines.
Don’t Skimp: Pay For Entry Into The Hallgrímskirkja Church Tower For The Best Views Of Reykjavik
Thousands visit daily, and admission is free. However, if you want the best views of the city, PLEASE don’t skimp. Just pay the $10 USD (ISK 1000) fee to climb the tower and look out over Iceland’s brightest, happiest city and ocean-scape. It’s 100% worth it.
Unfortunately, the tower isn’t handicap-accessible. But guests take an elevator the majority of the way up. You must climb two flights of short stairs to reach the top. The bell tower has windows with iron bars, so guests can reach their arms out for photos but won’t fall.
The church even holds meditations with organ services! Events like concerts are often held there, so check out their calendar to see if you can swing attending one. (We hear the acoustics are incredible!)
No matter your religious affiliations, everyone can find something to appreciate about this gem of a church, its controversial history, and its strange yet fresh design.
What’s your favorite thing about the church or its history? Comment below and tell us!
