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Hallgrímskirkja.

The Hallgrímskirkja (literally, the church of Hallgrímur) is a Lutheran parish church in Reykjavík, Iceland. 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 Grindavik, Eiðar longwave transmitter and Smáratorg tower.^[1] The church is named after the Icelandic poet and clergyman Hallgrímur Pétursson (1614 to 1674), author of the Passion Hymns.^[2]

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.^[3] 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.^[3] The nave was consecrated in 1986.^[1] 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 Copenhagen, Denmark, completed in 1926.

The church houses a large pipe organ by the German organbuilder Johannes Klais of Bonn. It has mechanical action, four manuals and pedal, 102 ranks, 72 stops and 5275 pipes.^[1] It is 15 metres tall and weighs 25 tons. Its construction was finished in December 1992. It has been recorded by Christopher Herrick in his Organ Fireworks VII CD.

The church is also used as an observation tower. An observer can take a lift up to the viewing deck and view Reykjavík and the surrounding mountains. The statue of explorer Leif Ericson in front of the church predates its construction. It was a gift from the United States in honor of the 1930 Althing Millennial Festival, commemorating the 1000th anniversary of Iceland's parliament at Thingvellir in 930 AD.^[3]

As of October 31, 2008, it is undergoing major restoration of the main tower, and thus covered in scaffolding. As of December, 2009, restoration has been completed and the scaffolding removed.

Views of the Hallgrímskirkja
Hallgrímskirkja from the right.	The Klais organ in Hallgrímskirkja.	Leif-Ericson-20050724.jpg Close up of Leif Ericson in front of Hallgrímskirkja.	Detail
Interior of Hallgrímskirkja	Closeup of Hallgrímskirkja

[edit] References

^ ^a ^b ^c Organ Fireworks VII – Christopher Herrick at the organ of the Hallgrimskirkja. [CD]. Hyperion. 1997.
^ Other Icelandic churches named in memory of Hallgrímur Pétursson are the Hallgrímskirkja in Saurbær, where Pétursson was minister and, since 1957, the Hallgrímskirkja í Vindáshlið (Kjós).
^ ^a ^b ^c Noyes, David (March–April 2009). "Iceland – Europe's coolest little hot spot". Going Places (AAA): 28.

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Hallgrímskirkja

Coordinates: 64°08′31″N 21°55′39″W / 64.14194°N 21.9275°W / 64.14194; -21.9275

[Hyperion-0] Organ Fireworks VII – Christopher Herrick at the organ of the Hallgrimskirkja. [CD]. Hyperion. 1997.

[1] Other Icelandic churches named in memory of Hallgrímur Pétursson are the Hallgrímskirkja in Saurbær, where Pétursson was minister and, since 1957, the Hallgrímskirkja í Vindáshlið (Kjós).

[AAA-2] Noyes, David (March–April 2009). "Iceland – Europe's coolest little hot spot". Going Places (AAA): 28.

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