Hallgrímskirkja

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Hallgrímskirkja.

The Hallgrímskirkja (literally, the church of Hallgrímur) is a church in Reykjavík, Iceland. At 74.5 metres (244 ft), it is the tallest building in Iceland, the Longwave radio mast Hellissandur being the tallest structure. The church is named after an Icelandic poet and clergyman, Hallgrímur Pétursson (1614 to 1674), the author of the Passíusálmar, among other works.

The design, by State Architect Guðjón Samúelsson, was commissioned in 1937. 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. It is situated in the city centre and is visible throughout the city and has become one of Reykjavík's best known symbols.

The church houses an impressive pipe organ by the German organbuilder Klais. It has four manuals (keyboards), 102 ranks, 72 registers and 5275 pipes. Its construction was finished in 1992.

The statue in front of the church represents Leifr Eiríksson, son of Eiríkr rauði. It is somewhat older than the church itself, being a gift from the United States on the 1930 Althing Millennial Festival, commemorating the 1000th anniversary of Iceland's parliament.

There is also a church called Hallgrímskirkja in Saurbær where Hallgrímur was minister.