The Church of Hallgrimur

Hallgrímskirkja is a major landmark in Reykjavik. The majestic church dominates the metropolitan skyline, soaring like a concrete geyser from the capital's heart. However, while it is now a well-loved structure, the church was once a contentious topic. It has been considered as a vital emblem for Iceland's national identity since its completion in 1986, owing to its characteristically curving spire and side wings. The church is named after the composer of the Passion Hymns, Icelandic poet and priest Hallgrmur Pétursson.

While the work of architect Gujón Samelsson was heavily influenced by Scandinavian Modernism, often known as Functionalism, he also sought inspiration from nature itself. Gujón built the Lutheran church to reflect Iceland's trap rock formations, mountains, and glaciers. This is particularly visible in the church's wings and steeple, which were inspired by the spectacular basalt column cliffs seen along Iceland's south coast.

The church's front courtyard has an amazing monument of Norse adventurer Leifur Eirksson (Leif Erikson), the first European to settle in North America, 500 years before Christopher Columbus. The statue of Leifur predates the church by a long time. The piece of art was given to the people of Iceland by the United States in 1930 to commemorate the thousand-year history of the Icelandic parliament, which was founded in 930 ADS at ingvellir.

Location: Reykjavik, Iceland