Hallgrimskirkja, Reykjavik

Hallgrimskirkja, Reykjavik

The iconic Hallgrímskirkja is the largest church in Iceland and one of the tallest structures in the country, soaring 73 metres high.

The iconic Hallgrímskirkja is the largest church in Iceland and one of the tallest structures in the country, soaring 73 metres high. Named after Icelandic poet and clergyman Hallgrímur Pétursson who authored Hymns of the Passion, the Evangelical-Lutheran parish church was built in 1945-'86 to designs by Guðjón Samúelsson.

The Expressionist "cliff style" church in the heart of Reykjavik has a tall concrete tower flanked by basalt pilasters of decreasing height, inspired by the shapes formed when lava cools into basalt rock. The bronze portal has a relief of 'four leaves' with an image of Christ on the right and man on the left on a red mosaic background. A crown of thorns is braided around the figures. The interiors feature stained glass panels on the nave doors, pulpit, and baptismal font by Leifur Breiðfjörð. The pulpit panels have verses of Hymns of the Passion and traditional symbols for the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The church houses a gargantuan 15 metre tall pipe organ by the Johannes Klais of Bonn, which weighs 25 tons. In front of the church is a statue of Icelandic explorer Leifur Eiriksson who was the first European to discover America in 1000 AD.

Entry to the church is free. For breathtaking panoramic views over Reykjavik, make you way to the top of the tower, admission for which is ISK 900 for adults, and ISK 100 for children aged 7-14 years. While the tower closes 16:45 in winter, during the summer months of May to September, it is open till 20:45. If you are visiting between June and mid-August, you can also attend organ concerts on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.