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Visiting Hallgrimskirkja church in Reykjavik, Iceland, can be a little intimidating, if you don’t know what to expect.
I had no idea what to expect when I visited Hallgrimskirkja. I arrived to find this huge modern structure that didn’t look anything like the traditional European cathedrals.
Don’t let the unusual architecture scare you away. This church is worth a visit! The inside is just as stunning as the outside, and it’s home to some of the best views of Reykjavik.
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- How do you pronounce Hallgrímskirkja?
- Who is Hallgrimskirkja named after?
- What religion is Hallgrímskirkja?
- Who built Hallgrímskirkja?
- How high is the tower of Hallgrimskirkja church?
- Can you go inside Hallgrímskirkja?
- Interior of Hallgrimskirkja
- Is there an entrance fee to Hallgrimskirkja?
- Hallgrimskirkja View
- Attending a Church Service at Hallgrimskirkja
- SBT Summary: Iceland's Magnificent Church
How do you pronounce Hallgrímskirkja?
While the English spelling is Hallgrimskirkja, the Icelandic spelling is Hallgrímskirkja (with the accent on the first “i”). The bigger issue, however, is how is Hallgrímskirkja pronounced?
Here’s the best I can do: halk-greems-keerk-yah
Who is Hallgrimskirkja named after?
Hallgrímskirkja church is named after the 17th century clergyman Hallgrímur Pétursson. He was an author of hymns and is considered a famous Icelandic poet, one of the most important poets in Icelandic history. His Hymns of the Passion are still sung today.
What religion is Hallgrímskirkja?
Iceland’s national church is evangelical-Lutheran. As such, Hallgrimskirkja is part of the Evangelical-Lutheran Church of Iceland.
Who built Hallgrímskirkja?
Guðjón Samúelsson, a famous Icelandic architect (and the former State Architect of Iceland), designed the church. The design of Hallgrímskirkja, including its stepped concrete facade, is reminiscent of the Icelandic landscape, specifically the volcanic basalt columns that can be found throughout the island.
It took a long time to build. Construction work began in 1945, and although Samúelsson passed in 1950, the work continued, and the church was completed in 1986.
How high is the tower of Hallgrimskirkja church?
The church tower is approximately 244 feet high, making it one of the tallest structures in the capital city of Reykjavík and the largest church (and tallest church) in Iceland. It sits on a hill in the middle of Reykjavik and can be seen from all around. The front of the church is really a sight to behold.
Can you go inside Hallgrímskirkja?
Yes. The interior of the cathedral is open to tourists, when it’s not being used for official services and other events, such as concerts, weddings, and funerals.
Interior of Hallgrimskirkja
Besides the beautiful building itself, the entire church contains many works of art, including paintings, stained glass, and sculptures. Make sure to explore the different parts of the church. There is also a large pipe organ, which is a most eye-catching feature.
Is there an entrance fee to Hallgrimskirkja?
There is no entrance fee to walk around the interior of the church, but there is a nominal admission fee charged (in Icelandic Króna, of course!) to ascend to the observation tower, which offers stunning views of Reykjavik.
Hallgrimskirkja View
You’ve probably seen photos of the view from the observation deck of Hallgrimskirkja (not quite the top of the tower). It’s one of the most popular tourist destinations in Reykjavik and one of the best places for an aerial view of the capital city. From there, you can see the beautiful views of colorful buildings, water, and the statue of Leif Erikson in the plaza below.
The Leif Erikson statue was a gift from the United States in 1930, to commemorate the 1000th anniversary of Iceland’s Parliament at Þingvellir.
When you’re up in the tower of the church, also be aware that you’re closer to the bell tower as well. Every quarter hour, the bells will chime, and it will be loud.
Attending a Church Service at Hallgrimskirkja
We love attending church services in different countries, and Iceland was no exception.
When we were in Iceland in October, there were 2 options for attending a church service (Mass) at Hallgrimskirkja:
- Sunday at 11:00 a.m.
- Wednesday at 8:00 a.m.
Because of our schedule, we weren’t able to attend on Sunday morning. So, we got going early for the Wednesday morning worship service.
We were a few minutes late, and when we entered the church, there was no one sitting in the pews. As it turned out, there were a couple rows of chairs setup on the back of the platform, and that’s where the service was being held. So, it is a small service Wednesday morning.
We were graciously welcomed in. It was all in Icelandic, but it was very moving, and it brought me to tears. One of the hymn tunes sung from the Icelandic hymnal was familiar (“The Church’s One Foundation”), and we could tell when they were reciting The Lord’s Prayer. They even invited us to have “coffee” (essentially 2nd breakfast) with them after the service, in one of the side rooms of the church.
The clergywoman and one parishioner did speak English, so we were able to have a bit of conversation. Everyone was so kind and welcoming, and it was a great experience.
SBT Summary: Iceland’s Magnificent Church
Hallgrimskirkja is a major landmark in Reykjavik and a must-see for any visitor to the city. The architecture and design of this Lutheran church are breathtaking and worth admiring, as they are reminiscent of the basalt lava flows of Iceland. Be sure to take in the incredible view from the observation tower as well!
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