Hallgrimskirkja, Reykjavík Region

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One fo the first things that you notice when you first enter Reykjavik is the striking building that overlooks the city. This is the famous Hallgrimskirkja church and it is Reykjavik's main landmark, which is not difficult to understand as it literally jumps out at you wherever you are in the city.

The tower, which stands over 73 metres high, offers great views over the city and the surrounding areas. It is open to the public every day from 09:00 - 20:00, with adults paying about 350 ISK and children between 6 and 12 years old about 50 ISK.

The church itself is the largest church in Iceland. It was designed by Gudjon Samuelson, the former state architect, who took his inspiration from the volcanic basalt rock formations found around Iceland. It contains the biggest organ in Iceland, we were lucky enough to hear it being played. The church was opened in 1986 and is named after Reverend and hymn writer Hallgrimur Petursson.

Not to be missed is the statue in front of the church. It is of the great explorer and discover, Iceland-born Leifur Eiriksson. He was the first European to discover American in 1000 AD, long before Christopher Columbus.

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The highest building in Iceland was completed in 1986 - so surely it's some skyscraper or some sort of business centre, you say? On the contrary: it is the Hallgrímskirkja, a geologically-themed church that stands 75 m (244 ft) high.

Made of white concrete, its interior is simple, yet elegant, featuring tall white columns. However, the main reason to enter the church is to go up its tower, which probably gives the best views of the city this side of the Perlan restaurant.

In front of the church you will find a statue of Leifur Eiríksson, which was donated to Iceland by the United States in 1930 to mark the 1000th anniversary of the Alþing (Icelandic parliament).

Hallgrímskirkja is open every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. As of Jan. 2007, the cost to go up the tower is 350 IKR.

So many others have written about this magnificient church overlooking Reykjavik, that I leave out details here. However, I will recommend a visit here any time; it's perhaps t h e power place of Reykjavik. It is also a good place to gain an overview of things in Reykjavik if you are on the first walk in town. Easy to find and see - it will be your reference point for the rest of your time in Reykjavik.

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The modernistic and beacon-like Hallgrimskirka is Reykjavik's tallest landmark, and a good way to orient yourself while walking around the city. It stands fairly high up, so you can see it from many vantage points around town. The structure in a heroic, nationalist style to replace an earlier church that was destroyed by fire. Construction took several decades, and the church was consecrated in the 1940s.

The church tower is brilliantly lit at night. Different people say that when floodlit, it reminds them of the Empire State Building, or a flickering candle, or an alien spacecraft. To my eyes it brings to mind a Wurlitzer organ.

Wherever I go, I try to go up a spire somewhere. German Munster are the best- winding stairs with worn steps and little light, and crowds of people going up and down-they're great!
But this- this was very disappointing, there was a lift!
Still, the view was great.

The design of the church is supposed to be reminiscent of basalt columns from a volcano.

The first thing that you see just arrived in Reykjavik from route 41 (Keflavik Airport - Rekjavik) is the Hallgrimskirkja. It is situated on the top of Skolavordustigur so you can see it from over 20 Km. It built in 1974 and its structure remember a basaltic mountain. Inside, the church you can see a boat which remember the sailor who died during their work. From the top of the bell tower (75 m.) you can see a wonderful panoramo of the City: the house of Reykjavik with different color (blue, red, yellow, green), the Tjorn, Reykjavik Airport and also if the weather is fine the Snaefellsness Peninsula.

The church is built atop a hill just on the edge of the city centre. It's a modern piece of art with clean and bare architecture and the interior matches this. It's worth a visit though, if only for the great view over Reykjavik from the top of the tower. See the travelougue for more!

In Iceland many of the houses are built of corrugated Iron, more commonly used for building barns and out houses in the rest of Europe. Building material (especially Wood) is scarse in Iceland.
One outcome of this use of Iron is the colourful houses, and especially roofs. This shot is taken from the spire of the cathedral.