19 March 2013

#209 Reykjavik, Iceland


The Hallgrímskirkja (church of Hallgrímur) is a Lutheran (Church of Iceland) parish church in ReykjavíkIceland. 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 GrindavíkEiðar 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.

State Architect Guðjón Samúelsson's design of the church was commissioned in 1937. He is said to have designed it to resemble the basalt lava flows of Iceland's landscape. It took 38 years to build the church. Construction work began in 1945 and ended in 1986, the landmark tower being completed long before the church's actual completion. The crypt beneath the choir was consecrated in 1948, the steeple and wings were completed in 1974, and the nave was consecrated in 1986. Situated in the centre of Reykjavík, it is one of the city's best-known landmarks and is visible throughout the city. It is similar in style to the expressionist architecture of Grundtvig's Church of CopenhagenDenmark, completed in 1940.



Date of Issue: September 13, 2012 - Lighthouses II - the Kalfshamar lighthouse

Thank you, Engilbert !

Sent on: March 14, 2013
Received on: March 19, 2013

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