Hallgrimskirche

Hallgrímstorg 101, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland

You can’t miss Hallgrímskirkja, Reykjavík’s 240-foot-tall, rocket-shaped church, which soars above the city skyline and is illuminated at night. Designed by famed national architect Guðjón Samúelsson in 1937, and inspired less by outer space than by Iceland’s picturesque basalt rock formations, the church took over 40 years to construct, finally opening in 1986. The statue outside the church doors is of Leifur Eiríksson, the first European to discover continental North America, 500 years before Christopher Columbus. The church interior is well worth a visit, if only to admire the giant organ, which has over 5,000 pipes and was designed and constructed by German organ builder Johannes Klais of Bonn. You can also take the elevator to the church’s tower for magnificent views over Reykjavík’s colorful rooftops.

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Hallgrímskirkja

You can’t miss Hallgrímskirkja, Reykjavík’s 240-foot-tall, rocket-shaped church, which soars above the city skyline and is illuminated at night. Designed by famed national architect Guðjón Samúelsson in 1937, and inspired less by outer space than by Iceland’s picturesque basalt rock formations, the church took over 40 years to construct, finally opening in 1986. The statue outside the church doors is of Leifur Eiríksson, the first European to discover continental North America, 500 years before Christopher Columbus. The church interior is well worth a visit, if only to admire the giant organ, which has over 5,000 pipes and was designed and constructed by German organ builder Johannes Klais of Bonn. You can also take the elevator to the church’s tower for magnificent views over Reykjavík’s colorful rooftops.

A Steeple with a View

The standout silhouette in Reykjavík’s skyline, Hallgrímskirkja is the modernist triumph of Icelandic architect Guðjón Samúelsson. Pop inside the church’s silent, great white hall for a concert and take an elevator to the top of the tower for the ultimate panoramic view of the city.—Andrew Evans

The House of the Passion Hymns

If you want to be one of the most imposing churches in Europe, you have to earn it. Reykjavik‘s Hallgrímskirkja is a massive Lutheran church that dominates the otherwise simple Reykjavik skyline. The interior is every bit as impressive as the exterior (the grand pipe organ is a mechanical marvel), but approaching this church from the street, on a cool, crisp evening, is a moving experience.

Looking Out Over Reykjavik from the Top of Hallgrimskirkja

As soon as we got to Iceland, the first thing we did was go out and wander around Reykjavik. We soon found ourselves at Hallgrimskirkja and decided to go up to the top and were rewarded with a great view of the whole city. But it was so cold and windy that we had to keep running back into the indoors part of the tower. The rest of the trip was very busy and we were up by 7 am to go on some excursion somewhere every day. But it was so peaceful and nice to be at the top of the tower during the long sunrise, as soon as we got off the plane in a new place.

Northern Lights and full moon

The Northern Lights and a full moon behind the Hallgrimskirkja in Reykjavik, Iceland. One of the most amazing things I have ever seen, in one of the most unique and interesting places this planet has to offer.

Bread soup

Delicious bread soup with butter on top!

Downtown Reykjavik

Looking over the city from the top of Hallgrímskirkja church.

A View Of Reykjavik

From the top of Hallgrimskirkja Church awaits Icelandic views of Reykjavik.

View from Hallgrímskirkja

A photo from the top of Hallgrímskirkja Church during a January sunset.

See the Ultimate Church Steeple: Hallgrímskirkja Church in Reykjavik

This Lutheran church has a soaring, monolith-style steeple that dominates Reykjavik’s skyline. Despite the dramatic architecture, what I love most about it is that it manages to feel organic, like it grew out of the earth somehow. (As I learned, the architect, Guðjón Samúelsson, created the church to resemble the basalt lava flows that are common to Iceland’s landscapes.) To stand next to this bold, beautiful building is to appreciate the 38 years it took to construct. (photo: Daniel Williams/Flickr Creative Commons)

Great view and best way to see the whole city of Reykjavik

Hallgrímskirkja was the first thing we checked out in Reykjavik, fresh off the plane and full of jetlag. In in pouring rain, the view from the tippytop is awesome (and also a good way to orient your brain on the layout of the city). And the inside is impressive as well: the organ is gorgeous and massive. A quick stop that’s easy to do if you sepnd an afternoon exploring the city sights

New Years Eve in Reykjavik

Best fireworks you will ever see!

Hallgrímskirkja

The jumbo jetlike Lutheran Hallgrímskirkja was designed to look like Iceland’s basalt formations: sleek and statuesque. Architect Guðjón Samuel was in love with the country’s volcanic landscape, and it shows in this attention-seeking church that dominates the city skyline. At 73 meters tall, it is the largest church in the country: Ride the elevator to its top for stunning views, including of the mighty Mount Esja, which looms over the city.

Above Reykjavik

High above Reykjavik from Hallgrímskirkja. While Iceland’s natural wonders always get attention, one should not to forget to explore the islands friendly capital city.

A Port for All

Iceland’s bustling and colorful capital sits under the watchful shadow of its iconic church, Hallgrímskirkja. As frenetic as its famed nightlife can be, during the 18 hours of summer daylight, the city is transformed. What is Reykjavik? A town, with a port. For the fisherman and his pre-dawn catch. For the anonymous shipping containers that line the harbor. For the weary traveller, grateful that the winds blew north.

Hallgrímskirkja

The Hallgrímskirkja - church of Hallgrímur is a Lutheran (Church of Iceland) parish church in Reykjavík, Iceland. At 74.5 metres (244 ft), it is the largest church in Iceland and the sixth tallest architectural structure in Iceland after Longwave radio mast Hellissandur, the radio masts of US Navy at Grindavík, Eiðar longwave transmitter and Smáratorg tower.The church is named after the Icelandic poet and clergyman Hallgrímur Pétursson (1614 to 1674), author of the Passion Hymns. I loved it very much, very different from the churches you see around Europe. The inside is very modest, no paintings at all. The organ though is very impressive. The statue outside of it is a present from the United States and it represents Leif the Lucky, discoverer of North America. For 750 krona you can go up in the tower and see the entire city, very nice view. Kids go free :)

The Klaisorgan Organ

Inside this very famous church is an incredibly stunning concert organ . Inaugurated in December 1992, it was constructed by Johannes Klais Organworks in Bonn, Germany, and has four manuals and a pedal, 72 stops and 5275 pipes. The largest pipes are 10 m long. The organ was financed substantially by private gifts – people were offered the opportunity to purchase individual pipes. There are still some left to be bought, and the shop has deeds of gift that can be bought and that certify that the purchaser is the patron of a particular pipe.

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