Hallgrimskirkja - Reykjavik's Modernist Church

Hallgrímskirkja is an Evangelical Lutheran church in Reyjkavik. Because of its distinctive appearance, it is one of the most popular attractions and a symbol of the Icelandic capital.

Architecture inspired by Icelandic nature

Hallgrimskirkja facade

The church was designed in 1937 by the late architect Guðjón Samúelsson. Using Hallgrímskirkja as an example, it is perfectly clear that the artist was often inspired by the fascinating shapes and forms created by lava in his work. Its stepped concrete façade is reminiscent of modernism, while also reminding us of Iceland’s distinctive landscape – particularly the hexagonal basalt columns we observe in many places on the island.

Construction of the church began in 1945 and was completed in 1986. Interestingly, the tower was ready much earlier than the rest of the building

60%
of the church’s construction costs came from parish funds and private donations. Many pieces of equipment and furniture also came from the faithful.

Hallgrímskirkja – Iceland’s largest church

Hallgrímskirkja is the largest church on the island. At 74.5 meters tall, it is technically Iceland’s second tallest building (the tallest is the Smáratorg 3 office building in the southern part of the city). However, placed on a hill and in the very center of the city, it definitely dominates the Reykjavik skyline. This also makes it a natural landmark.

T
he church’s name comes from the 17th-century clergyman Hallgrímur Pétursson, author of the Passion Hymns.

Inside the church are, among other things, an organ designed and constructed by German organ builder Johannes Klais of Bonn. As tall as 15 meters and weighing 25 tons, it produces impressive sounds, magically filling the space of the entire hall. If you have the opportunity, it’s worth visiting the church during an organ concert – the interior acoustics and the power of the organ’s sound are truly impressive.

Video: Hallgrimskirkja Church and its mighty organ.

Directly in front of the church is a beautiful statue of Leifur Eiríksson – a gift from the United States. According to the Icelandic Saga of Erik the Red, it was Leifur Eiríksson who was the first European to discover America. Records suggest that Leifur landed on the shores of the new world around 1000 AD, or 500 years before Christopher Columbus.

An impressive 73-meter tower towers over Hallgrímskirkja. Tourists can ascend to its top and see a unique panorama of all of Reykjavík, the surrounding mountains, the ocean and even the Snaefellsjokull glacier.

Sightseeing Hallgrimskirkja

Hallgrimskirkja is open to the public from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. During these hours you can see not only the church itself, but also ascend the tower. There, there is an outdoor viewing platform. To get to the top, it is not necessary or even possible to climb the stairs. The only transportation option is the elevator.

view from the tower

H
allgrímskirkja is a national monument, but it is also an active church where traditional masses and wedding and funeral ceremonies are held. It sometimes happens that the facility is temporarily closed to visitors for this reason.

Tower elevator working hours:

in winter (October to April): 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM, the tower closes at 4:30 PM;
in summer (May to September): 09:00 AM – 09:00 PM, the tower closes at 08:30 PM;

Price list for tower tickets:

adults: 1000 ISK ($7.50),
children and teenagers (7-16 years old): 100 ISK (under $1),
Tickets can be purchased at the church store.

How to get to Hallgrímskirkja

As mentioned above, the Hallgrimskirkja church can be seen from practically anywhere in Reykjavik and is an excellent landmark. Being in the capital of Iceland, it is impossible not to know where this church is located. Also, any passerby you meet – whether a tourist or a resident of Reykjavik – will surely point out the location of Hallgrimskirkja to you without a problem.

Should you need it, however, the official address of the church is Hallgrímstorg 101. It is best to get around Reykjavik on foot or by city buses. The closest bus stop to the church is Barónsstígur / Egilsgata (lines 5 and 15), but it is also at most a 10-15 minute walk to Hallgrimskirkja Church from the main bus terminal – the Hlemmur stop, where all lines stop.

There is also quite a lot of parking in the immediate vicinity of the church. If you’re just passing through Reykjavik, it’s a pretty sensible idea to leave your car in the parking lot near the church (you’ll always find it without any problems 🙂 ) and set out for a walk around the city right from there.

T
here is no guided tours that go exclusively to Hallgrimskirkja, but the church is (obviously) included in itineraries of every sightseeing tour around the city. Here’s a short selection of these:

Reykjavik Walking Tour – basic 2-hour tour, $40 pp;
Tuk-Tuk City Adventure – 1-hour tour with heated seats, $65 pp;
City Sightseeing & Golden Circle – 10-hour bus tour of the city and its surroundings; $130 pp;

For more on sightseeing in Reykjavik and my suggested city walk, check out this article: What and how to see in Reykjavik.